Incheon Economic Administration expects normalization of long-delayed project development
International design contest, four-season themed street development, etc.
[인천=뉴시스] Reporter Kim Dong-young = A bird’s-eye view of the Songdo International City Zone 6 and 8 development project in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon. (Photo = Courtesy of Incheon Economic Administration)
[인천=뉴시스] Reporter Kim Dong-young = Negotiations regarding the Incheon Songdo International City Zone 6/8 contest project, which had been difficult for over a decade, were concluded dramatically. As a result, ‘Incheon Tower’, which was originally planned to have 151 floors, will eventually be built with 103 floors and a height of over 420m.
This is interpreted as the will of Incheon City and the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority to create a building that is representative of the region by creating a special shape and landscape through an international design competition rather than simply increasing the height and scale of Incheon Tower by spending a huge budget.
The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority signed a basic agreement with Bluecore PFV, the preferred negotiator, at Incheon City Hall on the 15th. Previously, the IFEZ started additional negotiations with the preferred bidder in September of last year over the negotiation proposal that passed the city investment attraction planning committee in March of last year, the 7th civil election, and reached an agreement in about 8 months.
In the meantime, this project has been drifting for a long time since 16 years based on the Songdo Landmark City (SLC) business agreement in 2007 and 6 years since Bluecore PFV was selected as the preferred bidder in 2017.
However, according to the conclusion of the basic negotiations with detailed development plans, the Incheon Economic Office expects that the development of zones 6 and 8 will be normalized.
What was supplemented through this additional negotiation is the international design competition for major facilities such as landmarks.
Regarding the construction of the landmark, it was judged that the simple height and scale alone could not serve as a true landmark, and to supplement this, it was agreed to hold an international design competition as soon as possible after signing the basic agreement.
The purpose of the international design competition is to find internationally innovative architectural and urban designs that can attract attention worldwide for their special shape, landscape, or height, rather than a simple design competition through competition.
In addition, the target of the international design competition was not limited to the landmark tower, but expanded to include major facilities such as landmark towers Ⅰ and Ⅱ, street parks, and theme park sculptures, so that harmonious urban planning could be established.
In addition, the 1.8km street park connecting Songdo Moonlight Festival Park Station on Incheon Metro Line 1 to the coastal theme park was supplemented by creating a theme street that can be used all year round rather than simply an open passage.
In addition, it was agreed to jointly attract international finance and international organizations so that the Landmark Tower can become a concrete example of the ‘New Hong Kong City Project’ in line with the policy direction of the 8th civil election.
Regarding the creation of the theme park, Incheon Economic Agency and Bluecore PFV have agreed to discuss various improvements, such as music fountains and laser shows, in order to introduce cultural and artistic contents, which are a global tourism trend. In addition, various discussions were included to improve the inconvenience residents are experiencing due to the delay in the development of zones 6 and 8.
After the conclusion of the basic agreement, the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority plans to sign the main agreement containing specific development details after passing the Free Economic Zone Committee of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to change the implementation plan.
Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok said, “I am delighted that the development project for zones 6 and 8, which was a long-term task, has finally opened up a solution.” Please,” he said.
Kim Jin-yong, head of the Incheon Economic Commission, said, “We will create a landmark tower that citizens can be satisfied with through an international design competition.” We will do our best to select and develop an integrated design plan for the 6th and 8th zones, which will create cultural and artistic attractions and theme parks that will attract customers,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Songdo Zone 6 and 8 development project took priority over the Blue Core Consortium in 2017 to create an international tourism and business center city on the 1,281,000㎡ site returned to Incheon City according to a business adjustment agreement with SLC in 2015. After being designated as a negotiator, negotiations broke down and lawsuits, and renegotiations began in April 2021, and last year, the Incheon City Investment Promotion Planning Committee was conditionally passed and an agreement (draft) was prepared.
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