Introduction The city of Seoul’s Moa Housing initiative is an innovative urban renewal strategy launched in 2022 to revitalize aging, low-rise residential areas that are difficult to redevelop on a larger scale. These neighborhoods—developed in the 1960s and 1980s—consist of compact, multi-family housing districts with narrow streets, insufficient parking, outdated infrastructure, and limited green spaces. To overcome these challenges, the initiative introduces a new model that consolidates small plots of land for collective development, enabling residents to build high-quality housing while securing underground parking, green spaces, and other infrastructure. Once consolidated and infrastructure is established, these areas are designated as “Moa Towns.” Unlike conventional redevelopment—which can take 10 years and require two-thirds of buildings to be in poor condition—Moa Housing operates on a faster four to five-year timeline. It streamlines the process and offers favorable conditions, including regulatory exemptions and incentives. The program is built on resident participation, supported by public–private partnerships, and aims to provide 30,000 new homes across 100 Moa Towns in 25 years, with the first town scheduled for completion in 2028. What is the Moa Housing initiative? Moa Housing is a maintenance project in which homeowners collectively own and manage individual parcels of land and develop them together into high-quality housing on a block-by-block basis. It is a small-scale urban renewal model focused on low-rise residential areas that are hard to redevelop under traditional large-scale projects. How does the Moa Housing model work? The model gathers low-rise areas (within 100,000 square meters) with a mix of old and new buildings, establishes a regional unit, and creates a management plan. Once underground parking and green spaces are secured, the area is designated as a “Moa Town” and implemented through a streamlined process with better incentives than conventional redevelopment. What problems does Moa Housing address? Moa Housing targets long-standing issues common in aging, low-rise neighborhoods that hinder livability and safety. These include: High-density housing areas with illegal parking and resident conflict Narrow streets that obstruct fire trucks and emergency response Topographical challenges that make access during emergencies and evacuation difficult Inadequate infrastructure such as parking lots, parks, and green space Fragmented development when using building-by-building improvements How does Moa Housing differ from conventional redevelopment? Moa Housing offers a more flexible and expedited alternative to traditional redevelopment models. Key differences include the following: Traditional redevelopment requires at least two-thirds of buildings be in poor condition—Moa Housing does not. Projects can proceed without major building deterioration in hard-to-develop locations. Moa Housing projects are exempt from architectural and urban management standards, such as height and floor area ratio, as long as site conditions are met. Timeline is significantly faster: 4–5 years versus 10 years or more for conventional projects. How are Moa Towns selected? There are two methods: A contest conducted by borough offices Consultation based on residents’ proposals After meeting eligibility conditions, a management plan must be submitted to the autonomous district. The required conditions are: At least two cooperatives must be established to implement small-scale housing maintenance. Consent from at least two-thirds of the land area targeted by the project must be obtained. As of June 2025, 111 neighborhoods have been selected as Moa Town project sites. One site is currently under construction and expected to be completed around 2028. What happens once an area is designated as a Moa Town? Each autonomous district prepares a Moa Town Management Plan, which is shared with residents and reviewed by a committee. After approval, the plan is granted legal status as a “small housing maintenance management area.” The project then proceeds. What financial support does the city provide? The Seoul Metropolitan Government pledges to provide 70% of the establishment cost (up to 380 million won per site) for management plan formulation. The remaining 30% is covered by the district. What kinds of projects are included under Moa Housing? Moa Housing includes various small-scale maintenance types under the Small-scale Housing Maintenance Act: Autonomous housing maintenance Street housing maintenance Small-scale reconstruction Small-scale redevelopment Projects are implemented through joint development using architectural agreements. What types of improvements are made in Moa Towns? Moa Towns are designed to enhance livability through shared infrastructure and better land use. These improvements include: Underground parking lots and increased green spaces Community and shared facilities along low-rise streets Upgraded living infrastructure, including community amenities More integrated, accessible environments for residents What makes the business model feasible and attractive? The Moa Housing model streamlines redevelopment and offers strong financial and regulatory support, including: Shorter business cycle of 4–5 years compared to 10 years Exemptions from zoning and urban design rules Upzoning and simplified commercial use changes Government subsidies improve project profitability Public architect support for design and planning Were there any early difficulties with the project? Residents initially had limited understanding of the project’s scope, and promotional efforts were insufficient. Momentum improved after the SH Corporation launched a pilot Moa Town site, focusing on areas with constraints (e.g., height restrictions) and helping raise awareness. What are some example sites of Moa Housing in action? An old low-rise residential area near Jungnang Station with a high density of multi-family dwellings. Junghwa 1-dong, Jungnang-gu: Existing dilapidated housing is being transformed into a complex with new infrastructure and essential amenities. What are the long-term goals and outcomes of the project? Moa Housing aims to transform Seoul’s aging neighborhoods into vibrant, sustainable communities. Its key goals include: Deliver 30,000 homes in 25 years Designate 100 Moa Towns across Seoul Rejuvenate aging districts while addressing housing shortages Enhance quality of life and revitalize local economies Promote energy-efficient buildings, green spaces, and job creation How does Moa Housing promote inclusion and diversity in housing? By providing a range of housing types, the initiative accommodates varied income levels and lifestyles, promoting a more inclusive housing market. The Moa Town project is predicated on the principle of community participation, with residents playing an active role in the planning and execution of the project. Residents are directly involved in the planning and implementation of the project, creating a customized residential environment that reflects the actual needs and wants of the residents. The development of the local economy is twofold: (i) it contributes to improving living spaces, and (ii) it contributes to the economic development of the local area. What are the economic development benefits? Moa Housing injects public funds into key infrastructure like public parking and parks, which improves local conditions and boosts business profitability. The simplified regulatory framework enhances efficiency for developers. What partnerships support Moa Housing? Moa Housing is driven by collaboration between the public and private sectors to ensure efficient project delivery. This joint approach ensures cost-effective execution. Public sector: responsible for licensing, financing, and infrastructure Private sector: responsible for construction and project implementation Figure 1: Overview of available support for joint project Source: Seoul Metropolitan Government. What are the risks or drawbacks of the model? While Moa Housing offers many benefits, it also faces some limitations that can impact implementation: Higher construction costs than typical redevelopment Requires resident consent, which may be hard to obtain Less popular than large-scale complexes As a new initiative, outcomes are not yet fully determined When selectively applied, Moa Housing facilitates more efficient urban maintenance. What lessons can cities learn from Moa Housing? The initiative provides valuable insights into small-scale, community-centered urban renewal: Supports structural change in low-rise housing at appropriate densities Addresses issues such as isolated projects, inadequate infrastructure, and disconnected living environments Demonstrates how community engagement, sustainable design, and localized planning can deliver high-impact results Offers a scalable, replicable model for other urban centers facing similar renewal challenges Resources Seoul Metropolitan Government. Moa Housing Moa Town. Y. Yoon. 2023. Moa Town: A New Idea for Small-Scale Housing. Approval Took 8 Years, Completed in 1 Year and 2 Months. Assembly Insider. 4 December. J. Kim. 2021. Urban Policy Implications and Directions for Older Low-Rise Residences. Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements. 475. I. Kwon et al. 2023. Characteristics of Small Housing Maintenance Management Areas by Type - Focusing on the First Selected Area of Moa Town, Seoul. Journal Urban Design Institute of Korea. 24 (6). Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. 2021. Announcement of a Plan to Dramatically Expand Housing Supply in Publicly-Led 3080+ Metropolitan Areas. 4 February. Ask the Experts Minseo Kim Urban Development Specialist, Seoul Urban Solutions Agency Minseo Kim is an urban planning associate on overseas project development. She specializes in sustainable development and smart technology in urban planning, and overseas urban development projects. Prior to joining SUSA, she completed a doctorate in urban design and planning, and participated in many architectural and urban projects. Follow Minseo Kim on Seoul Urban Solutions Agency The Seoul Urban Solutions Agency (SUSA) was established by the Seoul Metropolitan Government to share its urban development experiences with other cities seeking to become sustainable and smart urban domains. Through a wide network of partnerships with the public and private sectors within and outside the Republic of Korea, SUSA works to connect and leverage its wide range of knowledge and resources to assist in solving the development challenges of its partner cities. Leave your question or comment in the section below: View the discussion thread.