Ansan City Makes a 'Full-Speed Push' for Reconstruction Across 43 sq. km, Including Banwol and Gojan; Expands Incineration Capacity with 200 Billion Won

Ansan Announces Urban Renewal and Resource Circulation Plans at November Policy Briefing
Introduces "Fast Track," Including Integrated Review of Renewal Projects, to Shorten Project Timelines
Develops Basic Plan for 43 Square Kilometers of Aging Urban Areas, Including Banwol and Gojan
Invests 201.7 Billion Won to Expand Incineration Capacity; Targets 360 Tons per Day by 2037

Ansan City in Gyeonggi Province is launching a major reconstruction and redevelopment project covering 43 square kilometers of aging urban areas, including the Banwol and Gojan districts. It will introduce a "fast track" to shorten the permitting process and speed up projects, while investing about 200 billion won to increase its waste incineration capacity to 1.8 times the current level by 2037.

Ansan Mayor Lee Mingeun announced plans for urban renewal and resource circulation at the city's regular November policy briefing held on Nov. 10.

Hong Seokhyo, director of Ansan City's Urban Housing Bureau, explains the fast-track reconstruction plan for an aging planned city at Conference Room No. 1 of City Hall on the 10th. Photo provided by Ansan City.

Integrated redevelopment of Banwol and Gojan... Preventing project delays with an "administrative fast track"

The city is drawing up a basic plan for the renewal of aging planned urban areas covering about 43 square kilometers, including Banwol New Town and the Gojan district. It began work on the plan after a special law took effect in April 2024, and is developing specific proposals for improving the urban spatial structure, defining the boundaries of special renewal zones, setting density plans such as floor area ratios, and determining public contribution measures.

The city plans to hold a public review and an information session for residents this month to release the draft basic plan and gather public feedback. It will then consult with relevant agencies, hear the city council's views, seek deliberation by the city's urban planning committee, and obtain approval from Gyeonggi Province, with the aim of establishing and announcing the basic plan in the second half of 2027. Once the plan is finalized, the city will proceed in stages with follow-up steps, including designating special renewal zones.

The city is also pursuing a "fast track" to speed up reconstruction projects. Key measures include developing guidelines for integrated review of renewal projects and expedited consultations, and establishing a system for coordinated consultations across departments. The city will also review the floor area ratio framework for reconstruction.

The city plans to link reviews that are currently conducted separately with consultations by individual departments, and have relevant departments participate in consultations from the early stages of projects to reduce the time required for administrative procedures. The aim is to reduce uncertainty in project implementation and ease the burden on residents.

Ansan Mayor Lee Mingeun said, "The renewal of aging planned urban areas and reconstruction are important tasks that go beyond simply replacing old buildings; they will enhance Ansan's urban competitiveness and improve residents' quality of life. We will reduce the burden on residents and improve the efficiency of project implementation through systematic basic planning and swift administrative support, and build a future-ready Ansan that residents can see and feel."

Lee Beomyeol, director of Ansan City's Environment and Greenery Bureau, answers reporters' questions during a policy briefing held in Conference Room 1 at City Hall on the 10th. Provided by Ansan City.

Incineration capacity to double to 360 tons... Getting ahead of a "waste crisis"

The city will invest a total of about 201.7 billion won to expand its infrastructure for treating household waste. While continuing to operate its resource recovery facility, which currently handles 200 tons per day, the city will build an additional incineration facility with a capacity of 180 tons per day by 2033. It will then extensively upgrade the existing facility to handle 180 tons per day by 2037, bringing total incineration capacity to 360 tons per day.

The project will be carried out in stages to minimize disruptions to waste treatment and reduce reliance on outside facilities.

The city will also improve its recycling sorting center, whose processing capacity is being exceeded. The center currently receives about 24,000 tons of recyclable waste annually, around 30% above its proper processing capacity of 18,600 tons. By 2032, the city plans to build a new sorting facility for plastic waste and gradually overhaul aging sorting equipment to address overloading and the prolonged accumulation of recyclables.

The city will also expand waste reduction policies that involve residents. It will run outreach programs on resource circulation, including educational and hands-on activities, and strengthen efforts to reduce single-use products, encourage the use of reusable products, and teach proper waste sorting. The city will also pursue a comprehensive revision of the "Ansan City Ordinance on Promoting the Transition to a Circular Economy Society."

The city is also reviewing ways to improve the days and system for collecting recyclables in residential areas. After analyzing the amount of waste generated in each area, collection conditions, and the operation of vehicles and staffing, it will develop improvements and implement them in stages following public guidance and a pilot program.

Mayor Lee Mingeun said, "We will reduce the burden on residents and improve the efficiency of project implementation through systematic basic planning and swift administrative support. We will systematically modernize waste treatment facilities, expand public participation, and improve the relevant systems to build Ansan into a sustainable resource-circulating city where residents can feel the difference."

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