How Will Seoul’s Skyline Look After This Change?

An Urban Management Plan The “Height District” System

The “height district” system is an urban management plan that sets a maximum height limit for buildings to protect Seoul’s cityscape and prevent overcrowding.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government first designated the Seoul Namsan Fortress Wall Trail area as a high-rise district in 1972, and has since designated and managed eight other high-rise districts around major mountains and major facilities such as Namsan, Bukhansan, and Gyeongbokgung Palace. The “height district” system is being completely overhauled after more than 50 years. As a result, major changes to Seoul’s city center and skyline are expected.

According to the reorganization plan, parts of Seochon area near Gyeongbokgung Palace will change their height restrictions from a maximum of 20 meters to 24 meters, and the rest from 16 meters to 18 meters. In addition, Dasan-dong, Hoehyeon-dong, and Itaewon-dong around Namsan Mountain will change their height restrictions from 12 meters to 16 meters, and Gugi-dong and Pyeongchang-dong from 20 meters to 24 meters. Around Bukhansan Mountain, the maximum height limit has been changed from 45 meters to an average of 45 meters.

Seoul plans to hold consultations next month and decide on the final system in the first half of the year.

Real estate experts are optimistic that the easing of height restrictions will help revitalize the area’s development projects, but at the same time, concerns have been raised that historical and cultural landscapes such as Bukhansan Mountain and Gyeongbokgung Palace will be damaged.

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