Gyeonggi Province 'Redevelops' Long-Unexecuted Urban Planning Facilities

Gyeonggi Province announced on the 21st that it has decided to resolve long-neglected unexecuted urban planning facilities (land) through redevelopment projects.

Urban planning facilities are lands designated as roads, parks, green spaces, schools, recreational areas, etc. under urban plans to promote urban development and enhance public welfare. Various development activities are prohibited on such designated lands.

Within the province, there are unexecuted urban planning facilities totaling 180.2 million square meters that have been designated but remain unused. Of these, 143.1 million square meters—76% of the total—have been neglected for over 10 years.

The province faces budget problems as acquiring and utilizing all the land would require approximately 18.6 trillion won. Due to insufficient funds, the province has only been resolving a portion of these issues annually.

Accordingly, the province decided to resolve urban planning facilities through redevelopment projects at three locations: Geumho District in Siheung City (69,000 square meters), Bukbyeon District in Gimpo City (60,000 square meters), and Jungok District in Yeoncheon County (71,000 square meters).

The province plans to implement projects by securing necessary facilities such as roads and parks through redevelopment methods and returning the remaining land to landowners through land-for-land exchange (hwanjing).

This approach allows landowners to develop and utilize land according to their circumstances and build structures, thereby resolving their grievances. At the same time, local governments can secure urban planning facilities without spending enormous budgets on land acquisition.

The province plans to conduct feasibility studies by the end of this year and proceed with detailed design and development plan approval procedures next year, then begin full-scale projects from 2009 and complete them around 2010.

After verifying the results of this pilot project, the province will review whether to expand implementation to other regions.

A provincial official stated, "Once land is designated as an urban planning facility, landowners cannot utilize it. However, through this project, even if the land area is somewhat reduced, landowners can obtain development profits, which is beneficial. For local governments, necessary facilities can be secured without massive land purchase costs, achieving mutual benefits."