In order for the residents to turn the unused space under the pilotis into commons, they must get agreement from two thirds of the residents, with approval from the district head that the new facility would not cause any problem such as noise and safety concerns. (image:Hong Chang Bum /flickr)
SEOUL, Oct. 29 (Korea Bizwire) – From now on, apartment management firms will be able to build community facilities such as a rec center, a conference room or a library underneath the pilotis.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said on October 28 that a proposed enforcement ordinance of the housing construction law has passed the Cabinet meeting on the same day. It was intended to relieve inconveniences of residents in collective housing complexes and relax burdensome regulations in order to stimulate economic activity. Pilotis are supports such as columns, pillars, or stilts that lift a building above ground.
In order for the residents to turn the unused space under the pilotis into commons, they must get agreement from two thirds of the residents, with approval from the district head that the new facility would not cause any problem such as noise and safety concerns. Even after this, the total floor area of the common facilities must not exceed 30 percent of the total piloti floor area.
The same proposal included a provision allowing tearing down of non-load-bearing walls of commercial buildings within apartment complexes without complicated reporting procedure. Currently there is no such restriction for commercial buildings located in other areas except collective residences. Given most apartment commercial buildings host small businesses such as retail stores, dry cleaners, and restaurants, which typically require frequent repairs and renovations, the regulation has been considered unwieldy and onerous.
By M.H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
