Research service to examine shifts in commercial districts, spending by Koreans and foreigners, and how well the policy is known and felt on the ground

A briefing on the research service
A briefing on the research service

Jongno-gu will conduct a six-month research service, titled the "Bukchon Special Management Zone Performance Monitoring Study," from May to November. The study aims to objectively assess the effectiveness of its policy for the Bukchon special management zone.

The study covers the Bukchon special management zone and its zone of influence as its spatial scope. It traces changes and outlooks from before the designation through the present as its time frame, aiming to comprehensively review the policy's performance since it took effect.

The district will begin with a field survey examining the site's current status and spatial characteristics, along with the ratio and distribution of residential, commercial and lodging facilities. It will then draw on big data analysis of visitor inflows and keyword analysis comparing periods before and after the policy took effect, assessing the zone's performance from multiple angles.

The study will also take a close look at the policy's impact on the local economy. Through analysis of changes in commercial district structures, spending patterns among Korean and foreign visitors, and surveys of stakeholders, the district plans to gauge public awareness and acceptance of the policy. It will also assess how residents and merchants feel the policy's effects and what they are asking for.

Based on the data collected, the district intends to devise ways to address shortcomings in the current system. It also plans to build a strategy for the mid- to long-term operation and institutionalization of the special management zone.

To check on the progress of the study, the district held an interim briefing on the Bukchon special management zone performance monitoring effort on Wednesday, where officials from different departments shared their views and discussed cooperation going forward.

"Bukchon is an area where a range of issues coexist — not just tourism, but also housing, safety, traffic and commercial districts," said District Mayor Yoo Chan-jong. "While the performance of the policy itself matters, we plan to take a detailed look at whether residents, merchants and tourists have faced any inconvenience or limitations from measures such as traffic restrictions being applied on the ground."


seouldream01@heraldcorp.com