- Announcement of seven major initiatives for 2025, prioritizing citizen happiness

- Incheon's vision as a “global top 10 city,” beyond the 2040 Incheon Comprehensive Plan

Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) hosted its final municipal briefing session at Michuhol Tower on Jan. 16 under the theme of “Incheon, A Liveable City With Happy Citizens.” During the event, the city unveiled seven key initiatives for 2025 aimed at propelling Incheon into the ranks of global top 10 cities.

The initiatives include the following: establishing a foundation for a new leap in Incheon’s development; boldly streamlining unnecessary urban planning regulations; achieving balanced urban development; creating a parenting-friendly environment with affordable housing options, such as ₩1,000 rents; launching the Songdo Amusement Park Renaissance project; advancing smart city infrastructure; and assigning honorary road names with historical and cultural significance.

Last year, Incheon laid the groundwork for this transformation, including revisions to the 2040 Incheon Comprehensive Plan and establishing the Camp Market Master Plan.

This year, the city government will focus on eliminating excessive urban planning regulations. Efforts include consolidating height regulation management to enable planned developments around Wolmi, Jayu and Subong Parks, and introducing clear standards for outdoor commercial activities in commercial districts, thereby reducing citizen inconvenience and economic inefficiencies.

To ensure balanced urban growth, Incheon aims to promote urban development in 37 zones by 2032, delivering approximately 230,000 housing units. These developments will include 32 urban development zones, one housing land development area, and four public housing districts, reducing regional disparities and fostering an improved living environment.

In response to challenges such as low birthrates and population decline, the city will fully launch the “i+ Plus Housing Dream” program for newlyweds this January. This initiative includes the ₩1,000 housing program, offering rents at ₩1,000 per day (₩30,000 per month) for up to six years, and the 1.0 Loan program, which provides an additional 1% interest subsidy for families with newborns using mortgages to purchase homes. The city seeks to leverage these measures to significantly reduce housing costs and create a supportive environment for families.

Incheon will also begin implementing the Songdo Amusement Park Master Plan this year. This initiative outlines development directions for eight designated blocks within the 2.65 square kilometer site, transforming it into a multicultural hub with a globally competitive edge. Licensing processes and project preparations will begin this year, with individual development projects slated to start in 2028.

Incheon also announced step-by-step plans for its smart city initiative. Linked to the 3rd 2029 Incheon Smart City Comprehensive Plan, this initiative encompasses smart city construction, smart services, and smart villages. In total, 16 projects will commence this year, including five smart service projects (₩7.57 billion), four smart city construction projects (₩65.31 billion), and seven smart village projects (₩25.48 billion).

Incheon will also assign honorary road names to streets with historical or cultural significance to enhance the city’s value. Following last year’s designation of 11 honorary roads, six additional roads will receive designations in 2024, including Incheonsangnyukjakjeon-gil (Incheon Landing Operation Road), Incheonsobangyeongung-ro (Incheon Firefighting Heroes Road), Appenzeller-gil (Appenzeller Road), Yeonsu 30(samsip)nyeon-gil (Yeonsu 30 Years Road), Hwangeojangteomansegeori (Hwangeo Market Independence Movement Street), and Asiadeumunhwayesul-ro (Asiad Arts & Culture Road).

“This municipal briefing session marks the first step toward building a liveable city with happy citizens,” said Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok. “We will continue to focus on achieving balanced urban growth and addressing longstanding, intertwined urban issues.” He added, “The true development of Incheon depends on its citizens’ active participation and support. We ask for your cooperation and encouragement as partners in leading this transformation.”