The government is facing criticism from political leaders in Seongnam and Bundang who claim they are being unfairly disadvantaged by new reconstruction policies for first-generation new towns.
In Seongnam, South Korea, local politicians and the mayor are calling for a complete revision of the government's reconstruction policies that they argue unfairly discriminate against Bundang. The government recently expanded the area designation limits for redevelopment projects in other first-generation new towns like Ilsan and Jungdong, allowing them to increase housing permits significantly while keeping Bundang's allocation frozen at zero. The officials emphasize that Bundang, being part of the same category of first-generation new towns, deserves equal treatment rather than face what they describe as 'regional discrimination' and a breach of fairness.
They further report that, as of 2024, Bundang's lead district applications could involve approximately 59,000 housing units, representing 7.4 times the government-designated cap of 8,000 units. Despite a 90% approval rate among residents for the participating districts, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport has cited 'insufficient relocation measures' as the reason for restricting Bundang's housing numbers. Local leaders counter this argument by highlighting that issues of relocation should only arise during the later stages of the approval process and should not prevent the start of necessary urban development initiatives.
Bundang's unique urban design is also a pivotal part of this debate, as the community's infrastructure has been developed holistically. They argue that limiting rebuilding to select complexes can increase traffic congestion and disrupt the balance of local facilities. The political leaders predict that keeping the annual quota for housing construction at 12,000 units will significantly prolong the overall redevelopment of Bundang for decades, effectively compromising urban functionality and safety for its residents.
