U.S. bases in the capital region that once blocked urban growth set to become key future hubs

[Financial News] Sites of U.S. military bases in the capital region, once seen as obstacles to urban growth, are being transformed into future hubs with major infrastructure concentrated in them.
According to data on returned U.S. military base sites from the Gyeonggi Provincial Office, there are 22 sites across five cities in Gyeonggi Province that are available for development, covering about 72.37 million square meters. Large, valuable parcels that had long divided urban areas are being transformed one after another into administrative complexes, high-tech industrial parks and large urban parks, reshaping the map of cities across the capital region.
Paju-si is pursuing urban development and the creation of historical parks centered on six bases, including Camp Greaves and Camp Edwards, while Dongducheon-si is also expanding infrastructure through sites such as Camp Castle and Camp Nimble.
Uijeongbu-si is seeing the fastest pace of change. With eight returned bases available for use, Uijeongbu has successfully completed a regional administrative complex in Northern Gyeonggi through Camp Sears, which is home to 14 major administrative and public institutions, including the Gyeonggi Bukbu Provincial Police Agency. Efforts to attract high-tech industries and strengthen self-sufficiency are also in full swing. Camp Jackson in Howon-dong has been confirmed for conversion into an urban development project to build biotech and pharmaceutical research institutes and production facilities. In partnership with Daewoong Group, it is gearing up to become a biotech industry hub in the northern part of the capital region.
Above all, improvements to living conditions that directly affect residents' daily lives are centered on the former Camp LaGuardia site near Uijeongbu station. The public-office site, where construction began last September, will house the Uijeongbu 2-dong Community Center, Uijeongbu Urban Corporation and a multi-purpose sports center. The project, including a nearby park, is now moving forward in earnest, with completion targeted for the second half of 2028.
New housing developments for sale in the capital region are also drawing buyers' attention as they stand to benefit from the development of these returned U.S. military bases.
Yangwoo Construction plans to launch sales in November for Uijeongbu Station Pelli Tower Yangwoo Naean-ae, in Uijeongbu-dong, Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi Province. The large-scale complex will have six basement levels and up to 49 floors above ground, with 1,506 units in total, including 1,252 apartment units and 48 officetel units. Residents will have convenient access to the mixed-use infrastructure being developed at the Camp LaGuardia site. Uijeongbu station is served by Seoul Subway Line 1, a light rail line and the Gyooe Line; when the GTX-C line also opens in the future, it is expected to become a key transportation hub in Northern Gyeonggi with four rail lines.
Elsewhere, LOTTE Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. will supply 1,249 units at Gyeonggi Gwangju Station Lotte Castle Signature Phase 2 in Ssangnyeong-dong, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi Province. GS Engineering & Construction plans to sell 1,354 units at Armuze Xi in Seongpo-dong, Sangnok District, Ansan-si, in November, while POSCO E&C will offer 526 units at The Sharp Ilsan Centro in Pung-dong, Ilsandong District, Goyang. New-home sales activity remains brisk in areas seeing major infrastructure expansion.
[email protected] Jeon Min-kyung Reporter