Songdo buzzes with plans to become hive of university student activity

K-campus

Published: 07 Mar. 2024, 13:29

Songdo buzzes with plans to become hive of university student activity

Emblems of universities that have their campus in Songdo in Yeonsu District, Incheon [YEONSU DISTRICT OFFICE]

Songdo aims to turn its streets into vibrant areas where university students can gather, envisioning itself as the next Sinchon.

Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority is currently undergoing plans to create a campus neighborhood for students attending universities in Songdo in Yeonsu District, Incheon.

Creating a so-called festival street, which will allow performances and exhibits to be held on the streets near universities, is one of the plans. To do so, the city will block off cars for pedestrians during certain days of the week.

Parks will be created in the to-be-created campus neighborhood, along with many restaurants and bars for students.

Universities such as Yonsei University’s Songdo International Campus, Incheon National University’s Songdo Campus and JEI University are located in Songdo. Overseas universities such as SUNY Korea, George Mason University Korea, Utah Asia Campus and Ghent University Global Campus are located in the Incheon Global Campus cluster, also in Songdo.

The Incheon Global Campus, where universities such as SUNY Korea, George Mason University Korea, Utah Asia Campus and Ghent University Global Campus are located. [INCHEON GLOBAL CAMPUS]

Plans for the project were announced by the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority in September last year, with the organization currently allocating a budget for the project. It expects the first half of the project to be completed by 2027.

Although Songdo is home to over 20,000 university students, the area lacks places for university students to mingle.

Songdo was developed as a business district, with many IT, bio and R&D centers built in the city. Malls such as Triple Street have opened, although students stay most of them close too early.

"Most of the bars and restaurants in Songdo close early, so it's not easy to find places to hang out," said Kim Ji-min, a 21-year-old university student. "When I hang out with my friends, I mostly go to Guwol-dong or even just go to Seoul."

The Guwol-dong Rodeo Street is a 20-minute subway ride away from the Campus Town station, the closest subway station to Yonsei University's Songdo International Campus and universities part of the Incheon Global Campus.

Various restaurants and bars can be found at Guwol-dong Rodeo Street, along with the Jungang Park, movie theaters and the Incheon Culture & Arts Center.

"Yeonsu District is the only district where 12 universities are located, but there have been many complaints about the district not having many places for university students to hang out," said a spokesperson for Yeonsu District.

Apart from the Guwol-dong Rodeo Street, some even decide to travel to Seoul, especially to Sinchon in Mapo District, western Seoul.

The area is home to various universities such as Yonsei University's main campus, Ewha Womans University and Sogang University, and is one of the most prominent neighborhoods where students gather for affordable food and to shop.

Shuttle buses that help students easily go from Yonsei University’s Songdo International Campus to the main campus in Sinchon are another reason why it’s a popular choice.

"The Time Space mall opened a few years ago near the Incheon National University station, and has a movie theater, restaurants and bars, but it's still a bit far from Yonsei University's Songdo campus or the Incheon Global Campus universities," said Jang Soon-kyu, an Incheon National University student. "There were a lot of people saying it would be good if there was a place where students can all hang out, eat and have fun."

Although many welcome the plan, concerns exist.

Price is another reason many students go to the Guwol-dong Rodeo Street or Sinchon, although Songdo might not be the best choice amid a tight student budget.

"Campus neighborhoods are known for their cheap prices, but Songdo is an area with one of the highest price points in Incheon," said a restaurant owner in Songdo. "Unless the rent goes down, it will be very difficult for restaurants to offer cheap prices."

The area becoming not just vibrant, but too loud for nearby residents is another concern.

“When the weather gets nice, some students buy beer from the convenience stores and make a fuss while drinking outside,” said a Songdo resident in their 40s. “They sometimes don’t properly clean up after themselves, and we could have to deal with more students like that if the campus neighborhood is created.”

BY CHOI MO-RAN, LEE TAE-HEE [lee.taehee2@joongang.co.kr]