Bucheon City Vies to Bring Dome Stadium to Bucheon Stadium; Plans 'AI Compact City' in Sang-dong

Bucheon Stadium Area Also Considered for Urban Innovation Zone Designation
Sang-dong Special Planning Zone Construction to Begin in 2028, Finish in 2032

Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, is pursuing plans to bring a sports-and-entertainment dome stadium to the area around Bucheon Stadium and develop a compact city combining artificial intelligence (AI) and the content industry at the former Video Culture Complex in Sang-dong.

The city announced plans to develop the areas around Bucheon Stadium and the former Video Culture Complex in Sang-dong, which it aims to grow into two of its three major growth hubs alongside the Bucheon Daejang Urban High-Tech Industrial Complex, at a city administration briefing on November 3.

The city is drawing up a new strategy for the station-area mixed-use development project covering 490,823 square meters around Bucheon Stadium in Chunui-dong, Wonmi-gu. Based on a study launched in December 2025 to develop a mid- to long-term strategy for the Bucheon Stadium Special Planning Zone, it is considering ways to reorganize the existing stadium site three-dimensionally.

The city is stepping up preparations for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's call for proposals for sites to build sports-and-entertainment dome stadiums, with the goal of attracting a medium-sized dome stadium with around 30,000 seats. Through the call, the ministry plans to select one candidate site each for a large dome with at least 40,000 seats and a medium-sized dome with around 30,000 seats, both targeted for completion in 2034.

The city plans to submit a proposal this month for consideration in Gyeonggi Province's candidate site selection, highlighting the area's wide-reaching transportation network as a "five-way (penta) station area" where five railway lines intersect; its proximity to Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport; three major international cultural events, including the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, the Bucheon Cartoon Festival and the Bucheon International Animation Festival; and plans to create a self-sufficient mixed-use space linked to MICE and commercial facilities.

The city is pursuing the necessary procedures to consult with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and have the matter placed on the agenda of the Central Urban Planning Committee next year, with the aim of changing the development plan for Bucheon Stadium.

The city is also considering designating the area as an Urban Innovation Zone. Known as Korea's "White Zone," this designation allows building uses and floor area ratios to be set differently from the standards for general zoning districts, making it suitable for mixed-use development combining sports, culture and commerce. The city plans to secure the designation in 2028 and begin full-scale development in 2029.

Housing construction will proceed in parallel. Construction is underway on 843 homes in Blocks A1 and A2, where work began in July 2026, with occupancy scheduled for the end of 2028.

A bird's-eye view of the mixed-use development project in the Bucheon Sangdong Special Planning District. Provided by Bucheon City.

The city is pursuing the Sang-dong Special Planning Zone mixed-use development project on a 383,151-square-meter site around 529-2 Sang-dong, Wonmi-gu. The project, with a total investment of KRW 6.93 trillion, centers on creating an "AI Compact City" that combines artificial intelligence (AI), K-content and advanced industries.The plan is to establish a one-stop system supporting everything from content creation to distribution and build a self-sufficient industrial ecosystem where industry, culture and housing are integrated.

The city is currently discussing detailed project plans with a private-sector developer. It plans to draw up a revised project plan and hold a public briefing this month, then announce changes to the urban management plan next month. The city aims to sign a land sale contract in the first half of 2027, proceed with building permits and other approvals, begin construction in the first half of 2028 and complete the project in the second half of 2032.

Kim Wooyong, director of the Urban Planning Bureau at Bucheon City, said, "If Sang-dong becomes a new industry hub where content and AI companies gather, the benefits will extend to the surrounding old downtown areas, further strengthening the city's competitiveness."

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