Gwacheon City urban planning and residential disputes

Gwacheon City is managing various urban planning and residential environment disputes. In the Gwacheon Knowledge Information Town, the city is negotiating with central government agencies and Gyeonggi Province to replace planned noise barriers with a “soundproof forest.” This proposal follows an electronic vote in which 96.1% of participating households requested a landscaped forest to protect sunlight, views, and the local landscape. The city has proposed using low-noise pavement and soundproof mounds to meet legal standards, with a consultative body expected to be formed next month.

Separately, the Gwacheon City Council rejected a proposed amendment to the city planning ordinance that would have mandated a 200 to 300 meter separation distance between data centers and residential areas. The proposal was defeated by both the ordinance review special committee and the plenary session. While the decision was welcomed by the Gwacheon Juam Original Residents Landowner Association to protect property rights, Council Speaker Hwang Sun-hee noted the rejection reflects a need for more thorough review regarding citizen safety and legal validity.