GH, SH, and iH Propose Shift from 'Supply' to 'Life' in Public Housing... Present Role as Community Designers

Gyeonggi Housing and Urban Development Corporation (GH), Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH), and Incheon Urban Corporation (iH) collectively proposed that evaluation criteria for public housing policy should shift from “supply volume” to “quality of life after moving in.” This marks the first time that the three metropolitan area corporations have linked their respective housing research into a single operational model.

On the 18th, the three corporations hosted the "2026 Metropolitan Area Public Corporation Research Council Joint Seminar" at Ferrum Tower in Jung-gu, Seoul, organized by the Korea Housing Service Society (KHSS). The seminar’s theme was, “Beyond Public Housing Providers, Toward Community Designers.”

This seminar originated from the awareness that simply increasing housing supply is insufficient to solve problems such as social isolation, gaps in care, and generational disconnect. In particular, with rapid aging among residents in permanent and public rental complexes built over 20 years ago, new approaches for operating and managing existing rental housing have emerged as a major issue.

The “community designer” concept presented by the three corporations refers to an expanded role for public housing providers: organically designing spatial structures, residential services, personnel and management entities, financial resources, and authority so that residents can naturally form relationships with neighbors and access care and daily living services as needed.

On the 18th, attendees including officials from Gyeonggi Housing and Urban Development Corporation (GH), Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH), and Incheon Urban Corporation (iH) gathered for a commemorative photo at the '2026 Metropolitan Area Public Corporation Research Consortium Joint Seminar' held at Ferrum Tower in Jung-gu, Seoul, hosted by the Korea Housing Service Society (KHSS). Provided by Gyeonggi Housing and Urban Development Corporation

The keynote presentations began with Professor Kim Youngwook of Sejong University discussing “Urban and Residential Complex Creation Strategies Based on Spatial Structure Analysis for Community Activation.” Other presentations followed, including “Operational Strategies for Public Housing Community Services to Achieve Aging in Community,” and “iH’s Childcare and Senior-Friendly Housing Model in Response to Low Birthrate and Aging Society.”

The comprehensive discussion was led by Lim Gwangbin, Director of Urban Housing Research at GH, with participation from five experts. Participants explored strategies for connecting good spatial structure to real relationships among residents, identifying responsible entities for the operation and cost-sharing of community services and care, and methods to expand community services to existing public rental housing and general developments.

Notably, discussions focused on the necessity of introducing community performance metrics that can measure reduced isolation risks and the potential for continued community living, rather than simply counting programs or events. There was also emphasis on the importance of establishing a public funding structure that does not shift operating costs onto residents’ management fees.

Kim Yongjin, President of GH, stated, “With falling birth rates, an aging population, and a rise in single-person households, public housing must address not just ‘how many homes are built’ but ‘what kind of life is possible within those homes.’” He added, “We must go beyond physical site development to design programs and services that meet residents’ needs and consider management systems for their continued operation.”

He continued, “It is the duty of public housing providers to foster residential communities where space forms relationships, relationships evolve into care, and services and management sustain the community. GH, SH, and iH will connect our respective strengths to create a cooperative model in which research outcomes are implemented in real-world projects.”

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