No More Data Centers in Seoul? District Mayors Move to Restrict Construction

Mandatory Architectural Review and Ordinance Reforms Proposed
Yeongdeungpo District Moves to Curb Proliferation of Data Centers

Going forward, it is expected to become more difficult to build data centers in residential areas of Seoul. Local district offices are pushing to improve regulations so that they can screen data center construction based on local electricity conditions and residents' opinions.

View of Yeongdeungpo District Office. Courtesy of Yeongdeungpo District Office.

On August 13, the Yeongdeungpo District Office (Mayor Yujin Cho) announced that it will promote the introduction of citywide regulations by preparing a set of institutional reforms. These reforms would make architectural reviews mandatory for data center construction and restrict their establishment within residential areas.

This institutional reform was presented as an agenda item at the 203rd regular meeting of the Association of District Mayors of Seoul on August 12 and was unanimously approved. Since all 25 districts in Seoul agreed, the regulation will apply citywide if the Seoul Metropolitan Government amends the local ordinance and the operating standards for the Architectural Committee accordingly.

This move is fueled by the rapid increase in the number of data centers. In the case of Yeongdeungpo District, there are currently eight data centers in the pipeline: one has been completed, two are under construction, one is planned, and four have submitted applications for building permits or reviews. The district office is concerned that if more applications are submitted, the seven substations within the district alone will not be able to supply enough power, which could disrupt not only ordinary buildings but also redevelopment and reconstruction projects.

However, under current laws, local district offices have insufficient mechanisms to control this trend. Data centers are classified as broadcasting and telecommunications facilities under the Building Act, and can be built with few restrictions in most areas except for first-class general residential zones. According to regulations, approximately 88% of Seoul's total area is deemed eligible for data center installation. At the same time, there is no legal basis for rejecting a building permit based on local electricity conditions or residents' opposition.

Accordingly, the district office plans to propose to the Seoul Metropolitan Government that the operating standards for the Seoul Architectural Committee be revised to include data centers as subjects for review by local districts. The plan also includes amending the Seoul Urban Planning Ordinance to restrict construction in second and third-class general residential zones. In the long run, the district office aims to push for amendments to the Building Act that would enable districts to deny building permits for data centers in semi-residential, semi-industrial, and commercial areas as well.

On the 10th, residents held a rally in front of Geumcheon District Office in Seoul, urging the withdrawal of the data center permit issued by Geumcheon District Office. Photo by Kang Jinhyung.

This movement is not limited to Yeongdeungpo District. Previously, Choi Ki-chan, then a Seoul city council member and now the mayor of Geumcheon District, introduced a proposal urging amendments to the Building Act regarding data center site selection; this proposal was passed in a plenary session of the Seoul Metropolitan Council in April. Additionally, some local governments, such as Goyang City, have formally requested that the government classify data centers as a separate type of building and completely ban their construction in residential areas.

Yujin Cho, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo District, stated, "There are growing concerns among residents about data centers being established in densely populated residential zones. Considering the climate crisis and issues surrounding electricity and water resources, it is essential to urgently amend relevant laws and ordinances so that district offices have the authority to determine whether or not to approve construction permits."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.