Incheon City Establishes Master Plan for Urban Development of Sawol Village – Improving Residential Environment
INCHEON, May 18 (Yonhap News) – Reporter Hwang Jung-hwan – The City of Incheon announced on the 18th that it has established an integrated master plan for the urban development of Sawol Village in Wanggil-dong, Seo-gu, which was previously deemed unfit for residential habitation, in order to improve the local housing environment.
Since August 2023, the city has been conducting a feasibility study and developing a basic plan for the “Eco Meta City Urban Development Project.” The plan separates the area along Jungbong-daero into the east (including Sawol Village) and the west (including the recycled aggregate storage site), while also connecting green corridors and central living zones.
To facilitate smooth project implementation, the city has left open the possibility of various development models, including private development, public development, and private-public special purpose corporations (SPCs).
The plan also includes designating truck-restricted zones within the development area. Additionally, it proposes limiting the movement of waste transport vehicles on Dream-ro, a road leading to the capital region landfill site, and rerouting them to nearby highways.
Through administrative procedures such as designating the development zone, establishing development plans, and appointing project developers, the city plans to transform the area into an eco-friendly residential district.
Sawol Village is adjacent to a recycled aggregate storage site and has a mix of residential and industrial zones, resulting in poor living conditions due to heavy metals and fugitive dust. In 2019, the area was officially deemed unfit for residential living by the Ministry of Environment.
Hwang Hyo-jin, Incheon’s Deputy Mayor for Global Urban Affairs, stated, “This development project will drastically improve not only the residential environment of Sawol Village but also the surrounding Geomdan area,” and added, “We will work closely with Seo-gu and other relevant departments to ensure the successful implementation of the project.”