IFEZ Journal

Managing Today’s Yeongjong, Preparing for Tomorrow

The Yeongjong Planning Team oversees development projects throughout Yeongjong International City and leads the designation of a new Free Economic Zone in southern Ganghwa.

Its responsibilities include managing development plans for Yeongjong Sky City, Midan City, Hansang Dream Island, Airport New Town, and the Unseo and Unnam districts, as well as identifying new drivers of future growth.

Working closely with organizations such as Incheon International Airport Corporation and Korea Land & Housing Corporation (LH), the team develops strategies to reinvest development gains into the local community and continues to expand infrastructure that benefits residents long after development is completed.

At the same time, the team is coordinating with relevant government ministries on procedures to designate the southern Ganghwa area as a new Free Economic Zone, laying the groundwork for the next stage of IFEZ’s growth.

Designing the Center of Growth for Yeongjong International City

Yeongjong International City is home to a wide range of development projects spanning residential communities, industry, tourism, and leisure. Among these, Yeongjong Sky City remains the team’s top priority.

Because the project requires managing both undeveloped reserve land and established urban areas, attracting new industries and revitalizing the existing city are equally important.

Plans are underway to develop a Bio Specialized Complex within the Phase 3 reserve area of Yeongjong Sky City. Investment projects based on the concept of an Aviation Culture Complex City are also under review.

In addition, the team is promoting the development of an aviation MRO cluster in conjunction with Korean Air’s Flight Training Center, further strengthening the city’s future industrial base.

Its ultimate goal is to build a self-sustaining international city where industry and quality of life coexist in balance.

Looking Ahead to the Future, Creating a New Axis of Growth

Once built, a city shapes the lives of its residents for decades. For that reason, the Yeongjong Planning Team places the highest priority on long-term planning that anticipates future changes and meets current needs.

Listening carefully to residents’ opinions and thoroughly reviewing infrastructure requirements are essential components of this approach.

The same philosophy guides the development of the new Free Economic Zone on southern Ganghwa.

With more than 90% of IFEZ already developed, establishing a new growth axis is essential for sustainable expansion.

The team envisions a differentiated Free Economic Zone centered on green and blue bio industries, leveraging southern Ganghwa’s agricultural and marine resources.

More than a development project, it is a long-term strategy to extend IFEZ’s growth beyond Songdo, Yeongjong, and Cheongna into Ganghwa, applying the urban development expertise accumulated across IFEZ throughout the greater Incheon area.

A Global Gateway Where People and Cities Grow Together

Large-scale urban development requires ongoing coordination among a wide range of stakeholders.

Differences in legal interpretation and interagency coordination can pose challenges, but the greatest reward is achieving results through active communication and persistent collaboration.

The agreements to reinvest development gains from Midan City and the Sindo Peace Bridge project are representative examples of these efforts.

The Yeongjong Planning Team envisions Yeongjong International City as Korea’s premier global gateway city, embracing both the airport and the sea.

A city where tourism, leisure, international business, and the aviation industry coexist harmoniously, supported by high-quality education, culture, healthcare, and everyday living infrastructure.

With this vision in mind, the team continues to design IFEZ’s next growth map, keeping residents’ lives and the city’s future at the center of its work.

MINI INTERVIEW

Urban Planning is [                   ] to us

[ A Promise] 

Urban development is a collaborative effort among many organizations and stakeholders.

The most rewarding part of my work is bringing diverse perspectives together to develop plans that truly benefit the community.

For me, urban planning means creating an environment where businesses want to invest—and where the benefits of that investment are returned to residents.

It is a promise to build trust with citizens and shape the city’s future together.

[ A Brand ] 

Yeongjong International City is a highly competitive city connected to Korea and the world via Incheon International Airport and its three bridges to the mainland.

Countless people have helped transform what was once Yeongjongdo, Yongyudo, and Muuido into today’s international city.

Working in urban planning allows me to witness the results of those efforts gradually taking shape.

I believe those changes ultimately become Yeongjong International City’s unique competitive advantage—and the brand that represents Incheon.

Lee Hyun-ho

Officer

[ A Catalyst ] 

While working on the new Free Economic Zone in southern Ganghwa, I met many local residents.

The message I heard most often was their hope that the region would become vibrant again through meaningful change.

Listening to residents who look forward to better jobs and improved living conditions reminded me that urban planning is far more than drawing plans on paper—it is about turning a region’s potential into reality.

That is why, to me, urban planning is the catalyst for lasting change.

Lee Hyeong-yun

Officer