Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority Amends Myeongji District Development Plan... "Removing Soundproof Walls to Improve Project Feasibility"

[Financial News] The soundproof wall and apartment-complex layout restrictions that had hindered Phase 2 development of Myeongji District in the Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone have been removed. 
The Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority said on the 22nd that it had completed approval of the 25th amendment to the Myeongji District development implementation plan and would publish a notice on the 23rd.
The key changes include the removal of regulations requiring soundproof walls and perpendicular or mid- to low-rise apartment placement following improvements to noise-reduction measures, adjustments to the ratio of primary and secondary uses for business land in Myeongji District, and the establishment of a detailed development plan for Phase 2 apartment land. 
First, the authority changed the existing noise-reduction method of "soundproof walls plus low-noise pavement" to "two-layer low-noise pavement." This followed confirmation that the two-layer pavement provides noise-reduction performance equal to or better than that of the previous method, reducing the need to install soundproof walls.
As a result, the regulations requiring soundproof walls and perpendicular or mid- to low-rise apartment placement in Phase 2 of Myeongji District have been removed. 
The authority explained, "This measure has removed factors that restricted building placement for noise-control purposes, allowing reasonable layout plans to be established based on the conditions of each complex."
In particular, the soundproof wall that had blocked the area between Myeongji Central Park and the residential area will disappear, while restrictions on building placement will be lifted. As a result, more households in Phase 2 of Myeongji District will be able to enjoy pleasant views of the central park. 
The authority also adjusted the ratio of primary to secondary uses for Business Land 1 and 2 in Myeongji District from 7:3 to 6:4. The measure is intended to expand the range of support facilities, such as neighborhood living facilities and retail facilities, that can be developed, thereby helping reduce long-term unsold properties and revitalize land supply. 

Apartment development has also taken shape. The Phase 2 apartment land Special Planning Zone will be developed across three blocks, with approximately 918 households in Block 11, 830 in Block 12, and 884 in Block 14, for a total of 2,632 households. To draw up the plan, the authority held expert advisory meetings from the planning stage and provided support to ensure that administrative procedures proceeded smoothly by removing potential causes of delay in advance.
Park Seong-ho, commissioner of the Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority, said, "For Myeongji International City to emerge as a global business city, the pace of development and the quality of the city must advance together. We will continue to improve project conditions through reasonable regulatory reforms and pursue administration that enhances the city's level of completion through expert consultation."
[email protected] Kwon Byeong-seok Reporter