Seongnam City to Increase Residential Ratio in Mixed-Use Buildings in Commercial Zones... Boost for Downtown Redevelopment

Seongnam Eases FAR Standards for Mixed-Use Developments in Commercial Zones
Residential Proportion Raised to 80% in General Commercial Areas
Maximum FAR of 500% Now Applies, Greatly Boosting Viability of Projects Like Jung 2 District
Relaxed FAR Rules Aim to Expand Housing Supply and Revitalize Vacant Retail Spaces

Seongnam City in Gyeonggi Province will significantly ease the floor area ratio (FAR) requirements for mixed-use residential-commercial buildings in its commercial zones, allowing for a higher proportion of residential units. As a result, redevelopment projects in the city’s original downtown commercial areas are expected to become far more viable, spurring both an expansion in housing supply and the revitalization of vacant retail spaces.

Seongnam City Hall panorama. Courtesy of Seongnam City

According to Seongnam City (Mayor Shin Sang-jin) on September 29, the city has decided to relax the FAR standards for mixed-use buildings in commercial zones in order to activate multifaceted land use in line with the city’s changing urban conditions.

Previously, Seongnam had adopted a system whereby the permitted FAR in commercial areas decreased incrementally as the proportion of residential floor area within mixed-use buildings increased.

However, due to a rapid rise in residential demand around subway stations, coupled with evolving lifestyles that have resulted in an increase in vacant storefronts within commercial zones, there has been a growing need to revise these regulations to reflect the changing urban environment.

Under the newly amended rules for redevelopment projects in general commercial zones, the maximum FAR of 500%—which previously applied only when residential floor area was limited to 60%—can now be applied even if the residential proportion is raised to as much as 80%.

For mixed-use buildings in general commercial areas not designated as redevelopment zones, the rules now allow for a maximum FAR of 450% with a residential floor area ratio of up to 80%, significantly improving overall building conditions.

Seongnam City expects that this FAR relaxation will greatly enhance the viability of ongoing redevelopment projects such as the “Jung 2 District Urban Environment Improvement Project,” by allowing a much higher residential ratio. The city also expects that the risk of vacant retail space brought on by excessive commercial supply will be reduced, while simultaneously expanding urban housing supply and improving land use efficiency.

A Seongnam City official stated, "We believe these relaxed standards will provide real momentum for the redevelopment of the original downtown,” adding, “We hope this will not only ease the issue of vacant retail units but also provide an opportunity to increase the supply of comfortable residential spaces in the city center."

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