Godeok and Gangil Designated as Metropolitan Centers... Gangdong-gu Aims to Become Economic Hub of Eastern Seoul

G3 Seoul Plan’s Polycentric Structure
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Gangdong-gu in Seoul (District Mayor Lee Soohee) announced on September 14 that the Godeok and Gangil areas have been designated as metropolitan city centers in the "G3 Seoul Plan," the top strategic plan of Seoul Metropolitan Government’s ninth popularly elected administration, released on September 10. The district explained that this provides a foundation to become an economic and industrial hub for eastern Seoul.

Aerial view of Godeok Business Valley and Godeok Vehicle Depot. Provided by Gangdong-gu.

The G3 Seoul Plan is the highest-level strategy of the ninth administration, aiming to elevate Seoul to the rank of the world’s top three cities. It consists of five future visions, twenty strategic objectives, and one hundred core tasks, with a total investment of KRW 86.1 trillion by 2030. Under this plan, the city proposes reorganizing Seoul into a polycentric urban structure by adding four metropolitan centers to the existing three core business districts—Central Seoul, Yeouido, and Gangnam. According to Gangdong-gu, the newly designated metropolitan centers are Godeok and Gangil, Sangam and Susaek, Gasan and Guro, and Changdong and Sanggye.

With this new designation, in addition to the existing neighborhood centers of Cheonho and Gildong and district centers of Amsa and Godeok, the Godeok and Gangil area has been elevated to a metropolitan center. The district stated that Seoul plans to foster Godeok and Gangil as specialized zones focused on knowledge-based industries such as artificial intelligence (AI). The city envisions developing the area into an economic hub by linking it to major locations such as Godeok Biz Valley and Godeok Vehicle Depot, while also strengthening wide-area connections with adjacent regions such as Hanam and Seongnam.

The district noted that this latest plan incorporates Gangdong-gu’s direction of fostering "gateway hubs in the Godeok Biz Valley and Godeok Vehicle Depot area," as outlined in its comprehensive urban development strategy, the "Gangdong Grand Design." Accordingly, the district anticipates an acceleration in the high-density, mixed-use development of key sites, including Godeok Biz Valley, Godeok Vehicle Depot, and Godeok Civil Servants’ Apartments.

Taking the designation of metropolitan center as an opportunity, the district aims to enhance its status as the primary city of eastern Seoul with a population of 500,000 and will collaborate with the Seoul Metropolitan Government during the forthcoming revision of the "2040 Seoul Urban Master Plan" to develop concrete development initiatives.

District Mayor Lee Soohee said, "The designation of Godeok and Gangil as metropolitan centers is a significant turning point for Gangdong-gu's emergence as a self-sufficient city that leads the economy and industry in eastern Seoul. In close cooperation with Seoul Metropolitan Government, we will accelerate key projects such as Godeok Biz Valley and Godeok Vehicle Depot, and realize ‘My Desired Life, Wannabe Gangdong,’ where jobs, culture, and daily life are harmoniously integrated."

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