Table of Contents
- Is KTX Nopo Station Feasible? Pushing Forward the Comprehensive Development Master Plan for Northern Busan Nopo Station and its Realism
- Is the Nopo KTX Station Really Necessary?
- How to Relocate the Nopo Depot?
- The Core Issue is 'Deregulation'
- Key Contents of the Task Order for Establishing the Comprehensive Development Master Plan for the Northern Busan Nopo Station Area
- Uncertain Feasibility and Timing
- Conclusion: Northern Busan Development is Needed, but Strategic Reorganization Comes First
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is KTX Nopo Station Feasible? Pushing Forward the Comprehensive Development Master Plan for Northern Busan Nopo Station and its Realism
Busan City has recently made a concerted effort to launch the 'Comprehensive Development Master Plan Establishment Project for the Northern Busan Nopo Station Area.' The main content of this project includes the establishment of KTX Nopo Station, relocation of the Busan Subway Line 1 depot, and the construction of a complex transfer center. The goal is to develop the Nopo area into a metropolitan transportation hub for the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region.
However, questions have been raised about the actual feasibility of this vision. In fact, this plan has already been delayed by 10 years, with the biggest challenges pointed out as deregulation and securing economic feasibility. This can be interpreted as a result of neglecting urbanization and urban linkages in Nopo-dong, Geumjeong-gu and the Yangsan Uungsan area of Busan. There are concerns that without resolving these issues, future development may become meaningless.
Is the Nopo KTX Station Really Necessary?
KTX Nopo Station is located between Busan Station and Ulsan Station, with plans underway to establish a new high-speed rail station in Nopo-dong, Geumjeong-gu. This section is expected to be passed by the Busan-Yangsan-Ulsan metropolitan railway and is also a connection point for the urban railway Yangsan Line, which is set to open next year. For this reason, there is an intention to develop it into a transfer hub. However, many are questioning the actual utility of KTX Nopo Station.
The ongoing Busan-Yangsan-Ulsan metropolitan railway is expected to connect with KTX Ulsan Station. This railway has plans to pass through Nopo Station, suggesting that the connection will be quite effective. As the connection to KTX Ulsan Station is established, the necessity of installing a new KTX Nopo Station becomes much less important.
While referencing the case of Gyeonggi Province's Gwangmyeong Station is understandable, the Nopo-Uungsan area is not a region densely populated with infrastructure and demand like Gwangmyeong. Therefore, the commuting needs of residential areas are likely to be met via the metropolitan railway, leading to a decreased likelihood of practical demand for KTX. Given these points, a cautious approach is necessary regarding the railway line planning.
The Nopo area is encumbered by overlapping regulations such as greenbelts and water source protection areas. Due to this, there is little room for additional residential or commercial developments. Furthermore, the area’s connectivity to Busan city center and major tourist sites is lacking, along with a low residential density, making it difficult to secure the main clientele for KTX.
In particular, while most of Yangsan's population is concentrated at Mulgum Station, the demand at this stop, where KTX does halt, seems to be limited to areas like Dongnae, Geumjeong-gu, Jeonggwan, and parts of Uungsan. Should a new KTX stop be established between Busan Station and Ulsan Station, there might be minor improvements in transport convenience; however, it is anticipated that this would lead to an increase of 6-7 minutes in total high-speed train operation times. This could diminish the competitiveness between Busan and Seoul, potentially impacting brand value negatively.
How to Relocate the Nopo Depot?
Currently, the depot for Busan Subway Line 1 is located in Nopo, and relocating this depot is essential for the area's development.
According to the recent preliminary feasibility study, the benefit-cost ratio (B/C) for solely relocating the Nopo depot stands at 1.077. Generally, a B/C above 1 is deemed feasible, yet this figure carries the risk of dropping below 1 with slight changes. Therefore, the relocation of the Singyung depot appears to offer low viability, making combined relocation a more practical choice.
Current candidate sites for the depot’s relocation include Dugudo in Geumjeong-gu and Cheolma in Gijang-gun, with plans in place to secure redevelopment sites in these areas for funding purposes. However, these operations are significant long-term projects requiring considerable time and processes. In fact, the previous instance of depot relocation in Seoul took over a decade from the relocation to completion of land development.
The Core Issue is 'Deregulation'
The Nopo area comprises a complex geography intertwined with restrictions such as greenbelts, water source protection areas, and cultural heritage protection zones. If any of these are not lifted, development of the KTX station, complex transfer center, and commercial facilities becomes impossible.
Thus, to promote development in the Nopo area, it is essential to resolve the tough challenges of lifting the development restriction zones and adjusting the water source protection areas. This is not an easy task.
While Busan City acknowledges the current situation, it recognizes that the authority to lift regulations lies with the central government, such as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Environment, indicating this presents substantial uncertainty. This issue cannot be resolved solely through Busan City's internal planning; it is essential to establish a policy and legal foundation through negotiations with the central government.
The main goal of the ongoing project is to develop logic and grounds to ease these regulations. For regulation relief to materialize, it must be recognized as a 'regional strategic project' that integrates metropolitan railways, depots, and complex transfer center functions. This process is crucial for promoting Busan’s development.
Key Contents of the Task Order for Establishing the Comprehensive Development Master Plan for the Northern Busan Nopo Station Area
| Category | Core Objective | Key Task Points |
| 1. Establishing the Comprehensive Development Project Plan for the Northern Busan Nopo Station Area | Cultivate the Nopo Station area into a core hub for the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region | · After analyzing the current state, demand, and SWOT, conceptualize a TOD-based spatial structure · Prepare a roadmap for deregulation of the development restriction and water source protection zones · Establish step-by-step plans for land use, infrastructural development, funding procurement, and project implementation |
| 2. Feasibility Study for the Establishment of KTX Nopo Station | Verify the possibility of establishing a KTX stop in the Gyeongbu Line Geumjeong Tunnel section | · Predict transport demand (with and without construction) in four stages · Review technical suitability for station location, size, and track planning · Calculate construction and operational costs followed by economic and financial analyses (B/C, NPV, IRR) |
| 3. Establishing the Implementation Plan for Relocating the Urban Railway Line 1 Depot | Enhance site utilization through the consolidated relocation of the aging Nopo and Singyung depots | · Compare and select candidate sites (Dugudo in Geumjeong-gu and Cheolma in Gijang-gun) · Design methods for relocation, site development, and funding (public-private) · Prepare a phased roadmap and feasibility report for permitting, compensation, construction, etc. |
These three projects will be executed in a mutually connected cyclical structure. The focus is on "Nopo TOD development, KTX transfer hub establishment, and recycling depot sites." In this process, deregulation and securing economic feasibility become significant challenges.
Uncertain Feasibility and Timing
The presented economic feasibility analysis (B/C) is still challenging. If expanded to a comprehensive development, the compensation costs, construction costs, and private PF costs are likely to surge.
The process for the Nopo master plan is expected to take about 7 months for initial results, with an overall duration of 18 months. Following this, preliminary feasibility studies, design, compensation, and construction stages will occur, leading to the actual completion of the station and complex transfer center around 2040. The results of the project, starting in 2025, are expected to be available by late 2026. After considering the preliminary feasibility study, design, compensation, and construction processes, it seems that completion before 2040 will be difficult.
During this time, Busan will have the opportunity to transform into a new transportation hub with the completion of various transport infrastructures such as the metropolitan rail network, expressways, and airport infrastructure.
Currently, extending the subway Line 1 and relocating the depot seems to be a more effective method than building a new KTX station. The Nopo depot has been operational since 1985, and redeveloping its 320,000 square meters could utilize it for new residential and commercial spaces. Additionally, by consolidating the relocation of the Singyung depot, economic efficiency could be improved. Such an approach is expected to contribute more to the city's development.
Conclusion: Northern Busan Development is Needed, but Strategic Reorganization Comes First
The establishment of KTX Nopo Station and comprehensive development signifies an important symbolism and objective for balanced development in northern Busan. However, currently, there are four clear risks: the uncertainty of securing economic feasibility, demand dispersion, deregulation, and the prolonged project duration.
To effectively address these risks, it is necessary to diversify them by adopting a phased modular approach instead of complex development. Furthermore, thorough verification of demand and costs must be carried out before conducting a preliminary feasibility study. Moreover, securing assurances from the central government regarding deregulation is essential.
Without such preparation, this project may face criticisms such as "Was it only then?" long after 2040. Thus, a systematic approach is required.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Is building the KTX Nopo Station feasible?
The feasibility of building KTX Nopo Station is deemed low due to economic viability and regulatory issues.
Busan City plans to establish a KTX station in the northern Busan Nopo Station area, aiming to create a metropolitan transportation hub. However, the Nopo-dong area is limited by overlapping regulations such as greenbelts and water source protection areas, and if a new station is built between Busan Station and Ulsan Station, the KTX travel time might be delayed by 6-7 minutes, which raises concerns about competitiveness. Additionally, commuting demands via the metropolitan and urban railways are already satisfiable, leading to skepticism regarding both the necessity and economic viability of the KTX establishment.
Q. What about the plan and economic feasibility for relocating the Nopo depot?
Relocating the Nopo depot is realistically better through consolidated relocation rather than sole relocation due to minor cost-benefit ratios.
The Nopo depot is currently perceived as an obstacle to northern Busan development, making its relocation essential. A preliminary feasibility study indicates that the B/C ratio for sole relocation stands at 1.077, suggesting feasibility, yet this figure could fall below 1 with minor changes. Therefore, an integrated relocation with the Singyung depot seems more practical; though Dugudo and Cheolma are mentioned as candidate sites, the lengthy planning and process indicate that completion will take considerable time.
Q. What are the core challenges in the comprehensive development of the northern Busan Nopo Station area?
The grimest challenges are deregulation and securing economic viability amidst overlapping greenbelts and water source protection areas.
The Nopo Station area faces various environmental and developmental regulations making residential and commercial expansion challenging. Even with the local government's intent to develop, regulatory relaxation is subject to authority from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Environment at the central government level, hence demanding negotiations and approvals. This creates considerable uncertainty around project execution, and without regulatory alleviation, key projects like the complex transfer center cannot proceed. Therefore, securing deregulation and economic viability must be prerequisites for successful comprehensive development.
Q. What is a more effective alternative than constructing the KTX Nopo Station?
Extending subway Line 1 and integrating depot relocation is a more realistic development strategy.
The current Busan Subway Line 1 Nopo depot covers a significant area of 320,000 square meters; its redevelopment post-relocation could yield residential and commercial spaces. Integrating the depot relocation can also heighten economic efficiency, diminishing the burdens and uncertainties linked to the KTX establishment. Hence, focusing short-term strategy on expanding subway infrastructure and relocating the depot seems likely to contribute further to northern Busan region's development.
Q. When is the projected completion date for the comprehensive development master plan for Nopo Station expected?
Completion is anticipated around 2040 and is considered a long-term project.
The ongoing master plan project is set to start in 2025, with the first results expected by late 2026. Following this, phases of preliminary feasibility studies, design, compensation, and construction are destined to progress, leading to an actual completion timeframe exceeding approximately 18 years. During this duration, Busan will witness advancements in metropolitan railways, expressways, and airport infrastructure, embracing an opportunity to evolve Nopo area into a new transportation hub. Notably, however, securing economic feasibility and addressing regulatory issues must precede this.
