Soongsil University Station Area to Become a 'Youth-Focused Street' with Startup, Housing and Cultural Facilities

Location of the Soongsil University Station District Unit Plan Area (Source: Seoul Metropolitan Government)

An area near Soongsil University Station in Sangdo-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, will be developed into a mixed-use space supporting young people’s startup, housing and cultural activities.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on October 29 that the City-Architecture Joint Committee had approved, with revisions, a plan to designate and develop a district unit planning area around Soongsil University Station at a meeting held on October 28.

The site covers approximately 96,740 square meters around 489 Sangdo-dong, Dongjak-gu. The area is centered on Soongsil University Station on Subway Line 7 and Soongsil University, with a university commercial district and surrounding residential areas.

The district unit plan sets out a vision for “a walkable university street and campus town centered on startups and culture.” It focuses on creating a pleasant youth cultural street where the university and the local community can thrive together.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to introduce uses tailored to the area, including facilities related to startups and culture and rental housing for young people. This is intended to foster a university-centered mixed-use space that supports young people’s startup, housing and cultural activities.

Pedestrian spaces, including sidewalk-style frontage public spaces, will be secured along existing narrow side streets, such as Sangdo-ro 61-gil, where university-area businesses are concentrated. Pedestrian rest areas will also be created around the subway station, with trees, landscaping and shade structures used to provide shade.

Kim Chang-gyu, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Urban Space Headquarters, said, “The area around Soongsil University Station has great potential to bring together the university’s startup and cultural capabilities and the energy of young people.” He added, “The establishment of this district unit plan has laid the groundwork for the university and the local community to grow together.”

At the same meeting, the committee also approved, with revisions, an amendment to the detailed development plan for the special planning area for the Jamsil Sports and MICE Complex under the International Exchange Complex District Unit Plan.

The site is around 10 Jamsil-dong, Songpa-gu. In August 2024, it was designated as a special planning area for the Jamsil Sports and MICE Complex under the International Exchange Complex District Unit Plan.

The amendment adjusts the areas and three-dimensional designations of railway and sports facilities reflected in the existing district unit plan and special planning area, and changes plans for the zones, density and heights of detailed facilities.

Kang Seok, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Balanced Development Headquarters, said, “This amendment has laid the groundwork for approval of the implementation plan for the private investment project to build the Jamsil Sports and MICE Complex.” He added, “We will proceed with the follow-up procedures without delay, with construction scheduled to begin in the first half of next year.”

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