Revitalization of decaying cities of Korea, the Gyeonggi-do Urban Regeneration project

The most important factor of Gyeonggi-do Urban Regeneration project is that it is led by local residents.

As cities grow and our ways of living develop, pockets of urban areas start decaying and end up becoming underused or unused. These areas often have poor accessibility, low-quality living spaces, and low economic productivity; frequently there is a large wealth gap between their residents and those in better-developed areas. 

Governments all around the world have tried to come up with policies to tackle this issue. The Gyeonggi-do urban renewal project is one such attempt at balancing living conditions and local economies around the province.

But attempts at changing the urban environment can entail a messy and complex process. Transforming our cities requires intensive effort in planning so as to ensure it does not lead to the displacement of vulnerable citizens or make their lives more difficult.

What Is Urban Regeneration?

Urban regeneration (i.e. urban renewal or urban redevelopment) refers to programs to redevelop decaying areas in a city. These plans can take a variety of shapes, and they often involve complex processes with differing results.

Regeneration projects are disruptive and risky; they require long-term processes before the results can be assessed. Some renewal projects have been criticized for having negative effects on local residents, but in a well-researched and planned project, leadership will foresee a gradual transition that empowers less wealthy residents rather than pushing them out of their neighborhood. 

Ideally, an urban regeneration project will revitalize a city’s economic, social, and cultural capacities and strengthen the local community. 

Urban Regeneration Projects in Korea

Korean urban areas have undergone rapid growth after national liberation and the end of the Korean War. The rapidly growing cities of Korea have faced many challenges in meeting the housing and transportation needs of some neighborhoods. 

However, the Korean government has been actively implementing a variety of renewal projects; the restoration of Cheongyecheon in Seoul is one exemplary case of urban regeneration. The stream, previously prone to flooding and other issues, had been covered by the city for decades before the renewal project began. By restoring Cheonggyecheon, and by implementing the “Downtown Development Plan”, the central areas of Seoul were effectively revitalized.

Currently, plans for renewing Korean cities are being implemented under the “Urban Regeneration New Deal” project. Many cities in Gyeonggi-do have been growing at a fast pace; the Urban Regeneration New Deal maps out paths to improving quality of life for Gyeonggi-do residents.

Not only physical redevelopment of the cities but also empowering in socio-economic terms.

Urban Regeneration New Deal

The Urban Regeneration New Deal, the first round of which started in 2017, is different from previous renewal projects as it’s not simply focused on the physical redevelopment of the cities but also on empowering the residents in socio-economic terms. The goals of the project include renewing and revitalizing decaying residential areas, improving local economies, and creating new job opportunities in targeted areas. Residents will be the ones leading the renewal; their views and opinions will be reflected in the development of their neighborhood. 

To counter the negative gentrification effects, the project has a different business model. Instead of large scale demolition and construction, it calls for the improvement of small houses, small scale residential construction, public housing, neighborhood parking lots, facilities for local communities, and other basic infrastructure that ensures the improvement of quality of life for local residents.

Urban Regeneration New Deal: 3 Main Strategies

1. Urban Space Innovation: Improve quality of life to revitalize the city, improve poor living conditions, and renovate decaying city spaces

2. Urban Economic Regeneration: Create new jobs, provide grounds for the cooperation of the project’s economic experts and civilians, revitalize the city’s economy 

3. Residents Lead the Region: Restore a sense of community, provide grounds for bottom-up style of governance, proactively tackle issues such as displacement

Urban Regeneration New Deal: 5 Project Types

1. Rejuvenate Our Community: Implement small-scale residential recovery plans and create basic infrastructure in areas with roads and basic facilities that have lost vitality due to population outflow and decaying residences

2. Housing Support: Maintain and fix alleyways, small-scale housing improvement, and basic infrastructure provision to improve the overall conditions of residential areas

3. Neighborhood Model: Establish civilian community centers, create local stores, improve pedestrian paths, etc., to restore a sense of community and revitalize local businesses in regions where residences and alleyway shops intermingle

4. Downtown Model: Improve and revitalize decaying business districts by providing public facilities, promote their historical, cultural, and sightseeing significance, and utilize other strategies.

5. Economy Based Model: Provide new jobs and create economic footholds in areas with severe economic decay through the construction of core and basic facilities, etc.

5 'New Deal 'project types for cities in different situation

Current Status of Urban Regeneration in Gyeonggi-do

Gyeonggi-do currently has 37 areas (in 15 cities) designated for urban regeneration; 31 areas fall under the New Deal project, 4 areas fall under the Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport’s projects, and 2 areas fall under provincial government plans. 

Two projects of note are Namyangju and Goyang’s smart city urban regeneration initiatives.

In Korea, a smart city is defined as a sustainable city with infrastructure incorporating converging new technologies (construction technologies, information and communication technologies, etc.) which are viewed as a means by which to manage cities efficiently.

Through the smart urban regeneration plans, the government is trying to improve resident safety and quality of life by integrating smart technologies, such as drones, to monitor more secluded alleys and streets at night, create smart parking lots, and more.

Namyangju OldTown, despite housing city hall, has severely deteriorated and the area’s economy has weakened due to population aging and outflow. The Namyangju regeneration plans will focus on the historical and cultural importance of the area, using it as a pillar to revitalize the neighborhood. Smart technologies will be applied to improve convenience and safety. 

Goyang will be adding drones to the smart city concept in a project referred to as 'Safe Smart Drone City'. The project will also contribute to making the drone industry a regional specialty, creating new jobs, and improving the local economy.

Urban Regeneration University (Urban Regeneration Education)

The Gyeonggi-do Urban Regeneration Center runs education programs to educate and empower local residents so as to realize a citizen-focused city renewal.

The programs include:

1. Gyeonggi-do Urban Regeneration University: A program aimed at raising awareness about the projects in general, prepare locals to become experts who can coordinate the project. Education includes urban renewal theory and case studies.

2. Expert (Coordinator) Education and Training: A program aimed at training a core workforce for the Urban Regeneration New Deal project.

3. Expert (Coordinator) Job Training: A program aimed at training a select number of coordinators for operation and management of the Urban Regeneration New Deal project.

Gyeonggi-do plans to renew its urban spaces, empower its local residents, and improve their living environment.