Incheon Metropolitan Council Member Inmo Yang Warns, "Geomdan Could Become Entrenched as a Bed Town"... Calls for Expanded Community Infrastructure

【Financial News Incheon = Han Gap-su, Reporter】 As additional housing supply is being pursued in Geomdan New Town under the government's policy to expand housing supply, concerns have been raised that Geomdan could become entrenched as a "bed town" lacking self-sufficiency if housing increases without expanding basic infrastructure.
Inmo Yang, an Incheon Metropolitan Council member representing Ara 1 and 2 dongs in Geomdan District, pointed out the shortage of educational, cultural and community infrastructure in Geomdan New Town during a five-minute floor speech at the Incheon Metropolitan Council's plenary session on the 18th. He called on Incheon Metropolitan City to expand public contributions and community infrastructure in line with the additional housing supply.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) announced a plan to convert land designated for urban support facilities in Geomdan New Town into land for apartment housing, adding 2,206 households as part of a restructuring of public housing sites.
While acknowledging the need to expand housing supply, Yang said, "If we only increase housing in Geomdan, which already lacks basic infrastructure, without sufficient measures, residents' living conditions could deteriorate further."
The population of Geomdan District had surpassed 276,000 as of August, but cultural facilities and community infrastructure remain insufficient to support its large population, Yang explained.
Looking at Geomdan New Town, he said, "The apartments are packed tightly, but it is difficult to find the community infrastructure residents need, such as libraries, gyms and cultural centers." He added, "If this continues, Geomdan could become a bed town lacking self-sufficiency."
He also pointed out that the burden on the education and welfare sectors is growing. Facilities and administrative infrastructure should be expanded alongside housing supply to prepare for overcrowded classrooms and rising demand for childcare and welfare services, he said.
He particularly emphasized the need for expanded public contributions from the development project operators Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) and Incheon Metropolitan City Development Corporation (iH). Yang argued, "Without donations and transfers to public ownership and public contributions commensurate with the additional housing supply, the burden of expanding basic infrastructure will ultimately fall on residents and local governments."
Among cultural facilities, he identified the construction of the Northern Comprehensive Culture and Arts Center as a key priority. He said the project should be pursued promptly because the facility is essential for improving access to culture for residents of northern Incheon, including Geomdan, and promoting balanced regional development.
Yang urged Incheon Metropolitan City to secure public contributions from LH and iH and consider various financing methods, including urban development projects, private investment and build-transfer-lease (BTL) projects. He also called for securing additional land for large-scale community infrastructure complexes during future revisions to the implementation plan for Geomdan New Town.
Yang emphasized, "While responding to the government's policy to expand housing supply, we must also consider the quality of life of Geomdan District residents and the city's sustainability." He added, "Incheon Metropolitan City must play the responsible role of coordinating between housing supply and the expansion of basic infrastructure."
[email protected] Han Gap-su Reporter