13 areas selected for urban regeneration in Seoul

13 places in Seoul have been selected for urban regeneration and revitalization and will be transformed soon. The selected places include the Seoul Station area, Sewoon Electronics Plaza, and Nakwon Arcade.

The Seoul city government announced on Thursday that the 2025 Seoul Urban Regeneration Strategic Plan has passed the deliberation of the City Planning Commission. Urban regeneration is a project that invites residents to revitalize the identity of the region instead of demolishing old buildings to build new ones.

The designated places are Seoul Station, Chang-dong, Sangkye-dong, Garibong, Haebangchon, Sewoon Electronics Plaza, Nakwon Arcade, Janganpyeong and five others. Those places are most in need of regeneration among 27 places chosen for "Seoul Urban Regeneration Comprehensive Plan" in March.

Seoul will confirm the regeneration plan by the end of this year and make a public announcement. The city will subsidize up to a total of 50 billion won (43.14 million U.S. dollars) for the next five years. It will also open various communication channels for the residents such as presentations for residents and support for resident meetings.

"A legal basis has been arranged for the urban regeneration project that will revitalize the identity of the regions with residents` initiatives," said Jin Hui-seon, Seoul city`s Urban Regeneration Center chief. "We will proceed with the detailed plan for each region and transform them into tourist attractions."