Korean Urban Regeneration: Design Emphasizing Historical, Regional, and Cultural Values

Abstract

Korea has unique historical and cultural characteristics throughout its cities and provinces given its 5,000-year-old past. Seoul, a capital city with 600 years of history, serves as a model of urban regeneration at a glance. Most of the historical heritage sites in Seoul were destroyed in the 1950s during the Korean War. Since then, Seoul has grown into a major global city with links to the world economy (GaWC Research Network, 2020). Unfortunately, the traditional idea of urban development practiced in Korea that respects the natural and cultural environments was not always implemented (Yang, 2008). Given this context, various urban restoration designs to revive Seoul, centered on central and local governments, are gradually gaining momentum. In accordance with the national basic policy for urban renewal, tangible and intangible local assets were discovered, and urban regeneration activation areas were designated to establish a new strategy.