Gyeonggi Province Completes Policy Research on Non-Urban Land Use…Pushes Forward with Management Standards Revision
Gyeonggi Province announced on the 18th that it has completed 'Policy Research on Rational Land Use in Non-Urban Areas' designed to enhance growth potential and residential stability in non-urban regions such as eastern and northern Gyeonggi and to induce rational land use tailored to regional conditions.
The research, conducted since March, was pursued to establish management directions that comprehensively consider development demand in non-urban areas, protection of residential living areas, and conservation of natural environments. The province plans to revise non-urban area management standards based on research findings.
To reflect changed regional conditions and on-site needs, the province investigated operational status of related standards in major cities and gathered opinions through expert advisory meetings and inter-municipal roundtable discussions.
In particular, the province examined land use measures that could enhance regional growth potential and residential living conditions while preventing indiscriminate development in non-urban areas such as eastern and northern Gyeonggi, where large-scale development is difficult due to multiple regulations including the Capital Region Readjustment Planning Act and the Han River Basin Act.
The research reviewed directions for adjusting zoning to improve residential environments, such as renovation of deteriorated buildings, by considering regional infrastructure and land use conditions. It also proposed directions for rationally reviewing unreasonable land use restrictions arising from business activities through urban planning committee deliberations.
Based on research findings, Gyeonggi Province plans to revise non-urban area management standards to enable comprehensive review of zoning designation purposes and necessity for changes, compatibility with higher-level plans, capacity of basic infrastructure, and environmental and disaster impacts.
Lee Myung-seon, head of Gyeonggi Province's Spatial Strategy Division, stated, "We will continuously improve the system so that residents and businesses in the eastern and northern regions, which have been relatively neglected compared to major cities, can reduce inconveniences experienced in the field, while systematically managing areas that require conservation."
Meanwhile, under the 'National Land Planning and Utilization Act,' urban areas encompassing residential, commercial, and industrial zones are subject to planned management through district unit plans, while non-urban areas such as agricultural and forestry zones and natural environment conservation areas are primarily experiencing sporadic development activities.