Soongsil University Station Area to Become a “Youth and Startup Hub”; District-Unit Plan Approved with Revisions

[Financial News] The area around Soongsil University Station on Seoul Subway Line 7 will be developed into a hub for youth entrepreneurship and culture. The plan is to link the university commercial district with residential areas, encourage startup facilities and youth rental housing, and improve pedestrian conditions on narrow roads.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on the 29th, the “Proposed Designation of the District-Unit Planning Area and Plan around Soongsil University Station” for the area around Lot 489, Sangdo-dong, Dongjak District, was approved with revisions at a meeting of the Seoul City Urban and Architecture Joint Committee held the previous day.
The target area covers approximately 96,740 square meters around Lot 489, Sangdo-dong, Dongjak District. Centered on Soongsil University and Soongsil University Station, it is an area with a university commercial district and surrounding residential neighborhoods.
The city plans to develop the area into “a walkable university street and campus town centered on startups and culture.” Drawing on Soongsil University’s strengths in startups and information and communications, it will introduce locally specialized uses, including startup- and culture-related facilities and youth rental housing.
The pedestrian environment in the existing university commercial district will also be improved. Sidewalk-style frontage spaces will be secured along narrow back streets such as Sangdo-ro 61-gil, while street-activating uses such as retail and cultural facilities will be incorporated on the lower floors of buildings. The aim is to widen pedestrian spaces and encourage use of facilities facing the street.
Pedestrian rest areas linked to publicly accessible open spaces will be created around the subway station and at intersections along major roads. Trees, landscaping and canopies will be installed to provide continuous shade along pedestrian routes, and spaces where pedestrians can stop and spend time will also be provided.
Kim Chang-gyu, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Urban Space Headquarters, said, “We expect this district-unit plan to lay the groundwork for the university and the local community to grow together, and to create a new cultural street where anyone would want to walk and spend time.”
The district-unit plan around Soongsil University Station will go through procedures such as a further public review by residents before it is finalized and publicly announced.

[email protected] Choi A-young Reporter