Urban regeneration in South Korea

Last updated

Urban regeneration in South Korea began with the reconstruction following the Korean War. (For brevity, references to Korea hereafter refer to South Korea.)

Contents

History

In the 1980s, the policies and paradigms for establishing new towns changed greatly. Urban regeneration examples include Housing redevelopment projects, housing refurbishment projects, urban environmental readjustment projects and readjustment projects for new cities. In 2017, the Urban Regeneration project proceeded under the name New-Deal Urban Regeneration.

Twentieth century

In Korea, urban redevelopment began in 1976. The residential environment was improved by redevelopment of deteriorated homes and inadequate infrastructure. 2.72 million new houses were supplied with redevelopment and reconstruction projects.

However, limitations in the Urban redevelopment project : [1]

Korea designated 41 cities as major cities for urban regeneration from 2006 to 2007. Among them were the area designated as Seoul's first metropolitan district, Jung-gu district, Dongseo shopping area, Daejeon, Korea's eastern district and the eastern part of the Subway Station. These pilot zones were targeted for the improvement of the residential environment, expansion of infrastructure and restoration of urban functions. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs (LTM) launched a plan to revitalize the moribund cities by investing 150 billion won in research and development from 2007 to 2013. [2]

2010s

In the early 2000s, urban regeneration was a premier topic in academia. In 2006, the Urban Regeneration Project was launched as a research project. The Urban Regeneration Act, enacted on April 13, 2013, followed the establishment of the LTM in 2008. It was decided to promote economic, social, and cultural activities by enhancing the overall capacity of the area and utilizing local resources and utilizing local resources. A special committee for urban regeneration in the Prime Minister's Office, enabled a nationwide implementation. [3]

Korea's new-deal urban regeneration projects are a major national goal of Moon Jae-in's five-year plan. On July 13, 2017, LTM announced that it would finalize the plan in late August. The project was designed to reduce the size[ clarification needed ] of the existing policy and install small scale residential infrastructure desired by residents without large-scale demolition. The area is leading the project and the government actively supports it. In July 2017, LTM stated, "We consider ways to move more than half of the entire business community into Our Community Renewal Project" (CRP). CRP refers to a way to improve residential homes and install small-scale amenities by local communities. Each area carries out projects in accordance with each situation. This is to allow residents to feel the effects quickly. [5]

The government's housing policy is projected by investing in urban regeneration in urban areas. It aims to simultaneously attack economic hardship and revive the city's competitiveness and enhance the quality of life. [6]

Future plans

LTM announced on December 14, 2017, that it had selected 68 districts as the city's new New Deal Urban Regeneration Project, to be launched in 2018. Eight Gyeonggi Province cities, including Anyang and Goyang, Gwangmyeong, were selected. The sites of potential cultural assets in the region are conspicuous. Mokpo is planning to establish a historic and cultural street linking Mokpo Port, which opened in 1897 and Hadong, which is close to the former Seoul Metropolitan City, as part of a landmark. Samchun, Busan, Samcheon 2-dong, which symbolized the village's steep slope will install an inclined 235-meter (771 ft) elevator. The 68 districts as pilot sites have a total cost of 6.7 trillion won per company. The government provided 5 to 25 billion won per project with state funds, and the rest were collected by local governments. The government plans to designate 68 pilot project sites as urban regeneration zones. [5]

Types

Economic

The project goal is to introduce new economic capabilities. It aims to create employment based on existing industrial functions and industries and to stimulate economic recovery to surrounding areas. The institution links urban regeneration, development and urban regeneration with key facilities that have significant economic recovery. It targets areas where employment can be created through composite development projects(anchor businesses). [7]

Typical example

Neighbourhood

Examples

Seoul

Cheonggyecheon

Cheonggyecheon was constructed in 1411 of Joseon (1392-1910) to prevent flooding. Many residents lived around the stream. The Government of Japan, partially closed the stream by building a road in 1937 to reduce traffic and hygiene problems. After Korea’s liberation from Japan in 1945, the city completely closed the stream with a concrete overpass. In 2002, then Seoul Mayor Lee Myung-bak removed the concrete roads and recovered the waterway beneath — a mega project that became the nation’s first landmark urban renewal project. The project’s success contributed to Lee’s victory in the 2007 presidential election. To better attract visitors, the city offers a variety of free exhibitions and events along the 12-kilometre-long (7.5 mi) trail. As of August 2015, it had attracted over 191 million visitors. [8]

Gyeonggi

Paju Book City

Paju Book City, 30 kilometers (19 mi) outside of Seoul, became a tourist attraction as an island of companies and stores devoted to books. Located in the border town of Paju, Gyeonggi Province, this cultural complex was created with government support through a national industrialization development grant. In an effort to differentiate the complex as an artistic landmark, architects Florian Beigel, Kim Jong-kyu and Kim Yong-joon created Architectural Guideline for Book City. The result is a flourishing area of publishing houses, cafes, and stores. [8]

Busan

Gamcheon Culture Village

Gamcheon Culture Village, an amalgam of lego-shaped buildings is sited atop a hill in Busan. The pastel-colored houses are clustered on terraced land with narrow alleyways between them. In the past, Gamcheon Village was a dilapidated neighborhood that was a hub for Korean War refugees, and later for practitioners of the Taeguk-do religion. Its elevation made it an unattractive location for developers, allowing the area to maintain its original structures. Today, the village is decorated with murals and sculptures. Old empty buildings were transformed into exhibition spaces, renamed “Korea’s Santorini on the South Sea". Public bath buildings, wells and steep steps remained intact. Gamcheon is cited as a exampnle of renovation without destruction. [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mokpo</span> Municipal city in South Jeolla, South Korea

Mokpo is the third largest and most densely populated city in South Jeolla Province, South Korea, located at the southwestern tip of the Korean Peninsula, close to Yudal mountain. Mokpo has frequent high-speed train services to Seoul, and is the terminus for a number of ferry routes serving islands in the adjacent Yellow Sea and Dadohae National Maritime Park. To the southwest of the city is Yudalsan Mountain, which is surrounded by strange cliffs like a wall. There are six manned and five uninhabited islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urban renewal</span> Land redevelopment in cities

Urban renewal is a program of land redevelopment often used to address urban decay in cities. Urban renewal involves the clearing out of blighted areas in inner cities in favour of new housing, businesses, and other developments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tax increment financing</span> Public financing method

Tax increment financing (TIF) is a public financing method that is used as a subsidy for redevelopment, infrastructure, and other community-improvement projects in many countries, including the United States. The original intent of a TIF program is to stimulate private investment in a blighted area that has been designated to be in need of economic revitalization. Similar or related value capture strategies are used around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Redevelopment</span> New construction on a site that has preexisting uses

Redevelopment is any new construction on a site that has pre-existing uses. It represents a process of land development uses to revitalize the physical, economic and social fabric of urban space.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urban planning in Singapore</span>

Urban planning in Singapore is the direction of infrastructure development in Singapore. It is done through a three-tiered planning framework, consisting of a long-term plan to plot out Singapore's development over at least 50 years, a Master Plan for the medium term, and short-term plans, the first two of which are prepared by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and the last by multiple agencies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urban Renewal Authority</span> Statutory body in Hong Kong

The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) is a quasi-governmental, profit-making statutory body in Hong Kong responsible for accelerating urban redevelopment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Infill</span> Rededication of land in an urban environment to new construction

In urban planning, infill, or in-fill, is the rededication of land in an urban environment, usually open-space, to new construction. Infill also applies, within an urban polity, to construction on any undeveloped land that is not on the urban margin. The slightly broader term "land recycling" is sometimes used instead. Infill has been promoted as an economical use of existing infrastructure and a remedy for urban sprawl. Detractors view increased urban density as overloading urban services, including increased traffic congestion and pollution, and decreasing urban green-space. Many also dislike it for social and historical reasons, partly due to its unproven effects and its similarity with gentrification.

The term "sustainable communities" has various definitions, but in essence refers to communities planned, built, or modified to promote sustainable living. Sustainable communities tend to focus on environmental and economic sustainability, urban infrastructure, social equity, and municipal government. The term is sometimes used synonymously with "green cities," "eco-communities," "livable cities" and "sustainable cities."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mixed-use development</span> Type of urban development strategy

Mixed use is a type of urban development, urban design, urban planning and/or a zoning classification that blends multiple uses, such as residential, commercial, cultural, institutional, or entertainment, into one space, where those functions are to some degree physically and functionally integrated, and that provides pedestrian connections. Mixed-use development may be applied to a single building, a block or neighborhood, or in zoning policy across an entire city or other administrative unit. These projects may be completed by a private developer, (quasi-)governmental agency, or a combination thereof. A mixed-use development may be a new construction, reuse of an existing building or brownfield site, or a combination.

Planning and development in Detroit since the late 20th century has attempted to enhance the economy and quality of life of Detroit, Michigan, United States. In 1970, the private group Detroit Renaissance began to facilitate development in the city. Its successor, Business Leaders for Michigan, has continued to facilitate development into the 21st century. Projects have included new commercial facilities, revitalization of neighborhoods, hospitality infrastructure, and improvements to recreational and public facilities, such as the QLine light rail project.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urban village (China)</span> Villages in and around large Chinese cities

Urban villages are villages that appear on both the outskirts and the downtown segments of major Chinese cities, including Shenzhen and Guangzhou. They are surrounded by skyscrapers, transportation infrastructures, and other modern urban constructions. Urban villages are a unique phenomenon that formed part of China's urbanization efforts.

Hadang (Korean: 하당신도시) is the newly built urban area in Mokpo, Jeollanam-do of South Korea, which aims at accommodating increased population near Muan International Airport and movement of the provincial office. Before announcement of the transfer of office, Mokpo city initially intended to rebuild another area for housing. The project was finalized so until 1999 most of area was leased for marketing, business, housing, and preliminary purpose.

Innovation districts are urban geographies of innovation where R&D strong institutions, companies, and other private actors develop integrated strategies and solutions to develop thriving innovation ecosystems–areas that attract entrepreneurs, startups, and business incubators. Unlike science parks, innovation districts are physically compact, leverage density and high levels of accessibility, and provide a “mash up” of activities including housing, office, and neighborhood-serving amenities. Districts signify the collapse back of innovation into cities and is increasingly used as a way to revitalize the economies of cities and their broader regions. As of 2019, there are more than 100 districts worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urban renewal in Singapore</span>

Urban renewal in Singapore refers to land redevelopment programmes in areas of moderate to high density urban land use in the Republic of Singapore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gamcheon Culture Village</span> Town within Busan, South Korea

Gamcheon Culture Village (Korean: 감천문화마을) is a town within Gamcheon-dong, Saha District, Busan, South Korea. The area is known for its layered streets, twisted labyrinth-like alleys, and brightly painted houses, which have been restored and enhanced in recent years to attract tourism. Built on a steep mountain-side slope, the village has been nicknamed "Korea's Santorini" and the "Machu Picchu of Busan".

Environmental, ecological or green gentrification is a process in which cleaning up pollution or providing green amenities increases local property values and attracts wealthier residents to a previously polluted or disenfranchised neighbourhood. Green amenities include green spaces, parks, green roofs, gardens and green and energy efficient building materials. These initiatives can heal many environmental ills from industrialization and beautify urban landscapes. Additionally, greening is imperative for reaching a sustainable future. However, if accompanied by gentrification, these initiatives can have an ambiguous social impact. For example, if the low income households are displaced or forced to pay higher housing costs. First coined by Sieg et al. (2004), environmental gentrification is a relatively new concept, although it can be considered as a new hybrid of the older and wider topics of gentrification and environmental justice. Social implications of greening projects specifically with regards to housing affordability and displacement of vulnerable citizens. Greening in cities can be both healthy and just.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gentrification of Mexico City</span>

Mexico City has massively been expanding its urban fabric and population density, becoming the fifth largest city in the world. A combination of neoliberal policies, complex geographic location, socio-economic disparities and inefficient strategies have influenced the process of gentrification en la city. The combination of numerous megaprojects, inefficient city-planning strategies, and remote work after the COVID-19 pandemic have led to dysfunctions in circulation, community allocation and equal access to resources. In consequence, middle and low-income communities have been directly or indirectly alienated and challenged to adapt to a complex and evolving urban environment, and the culture erasure that comes with the process of gentrification.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urban renewal in Sydney</span> Ongoing land redevelopment of the new urban centres in Sydney, Australia

The urban renewal of Sydney is an ongoing land redevelopment process that is creating and reviving new urban centres across Sydney, Australia. Urban renewal refers to the refurbishment of derelict buildings, streets or neighbourhoods and is accompanied with the process of gentrification attributed by changes in land use and deindustrialisation of areas. In 2020, there are several projects underway and planned including Barangaroo, The Bays Precinct and Green Square.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slum clearance in the United States</span> Urban renewal strategy used in the US

Slum clearance in the United States has been used as an urban renewal strategy to regenerate derelict or run-down districts, often to be replaced with alternative developments or new housing. Early calls were made during the 19th century, although mass slum clearance did not occur until after World War II with the introduction of the Housing Act of 1949 which offered federal subsidies towards redevelopments. The scheme ended in 1974 having driven over 2,000 projects with costs in excess of $50 billion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Downtown Seoul</span> Historic and social center of Seoul, South Korea

Downtown Seoul, also known as Seoul Central Business District or Sadaemun-An is traditional city center and central business district of Seoul, located through Gwanghwamun of Jongno District and Seoul Station of Jung District along the Sejong-daero and Jong-ro. For its time-honored and unique geographic status in Seoul, the downtown is usually just called the Central Business District, or sometimes Gwanghwamun Business District for the landmark 'Gwanghwamun' at the heart of it.

References

  1. ↑ Urban Regeneration Information System,《Limitations of Traditional Urban Renewal Projects》
  2. ↑ Park Yong,《Urban Regeneration》, pmg, 2017-02-17
  3. ↑ Ju kawn-su, 《The Significance and Limitation of Urban Regeneration Act》,The hankyoreh,2013-05-06 19:19
  4. ↑ Korea Land & Housing Corporation,What is an urban regeneration project?, Urban Regeneration Information System.
  5. 1 2 Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport,《Press release》, 2017-12-14 15:30
  6. ↑ Kyung-gi Urban Innovation Corporation,《Urban regeneration project Archived 2017-11-07 at the Wayback Machine 》http://www.gico.or.kr/business/urban/urbanintro.do Archived 2017-11-07 at the Wayback Machine
  7. 1 2 3 Urban Regeneration Division,《Policy review》, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
  8. 1 2 3 Cho Chung-un,《[Weekender] Korea’s urban regeneration projects》, Jan 15, 2016
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.