Joongil Kim

Myeonmok-dong Moa Town is a pilot project designated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government for the regeneration of aging low-rise residential areas, presenting a new model of urban renewal through small-scale housing improvement. By arranging building masses and community facilities along the street, the project revitalizes alleyways and creates an organic connection between the city and the community. In particular, streets are categorized into three types―“Urban Street,” “Living Community Street,” and “Market-linked Community Street”―each designed to include open community spaces that naturally foster daily social interactions. The designation as a Special Architectural Zone and the adoption of building agreements have enabled regulatory flexibility, allowing for a departure from uniform slab-type apartments and the planning of diverse building forms. The layout considers sloped terrain, views, and street flows to create a rich urban landscape and residential diversity. Myeonmok-dong Moa Town is a case where multiple “Moa Housing” projects―developed as part of a street-based housing renewal strategy―have been integrated into a single, cohesive community. It proposes a new solution for sustainable regeneration of low-rise residential areas, centered not on apartment complexes but on streets, with an open urban structure that engages everyday life, restores community, and embraces spatial diversity.