South Korea's capital is 2010's World Design Capital, and this is why
This year Seoul is officially designated as the "World Design Capital" by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design. The credit has to go to Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon who, under his leadership since 2006, introduced reforms that have turned Seoul into a design-driven city from where the Korean Wave continues to spread to other parts of Asia and beyond.
For Mayor Oh, Seoul is more than a design city. For him, Seoul is seeking to become a city of arts and culture too through his vision of "culturenomics", or promoting the city's creative economy. It will be the city where culture, modernity and tradition harmonise.
"Seoul boasts an endless series of beautiful mountains and an abundance of rivers and streams that harmonise wonderfully together with its 600 years of tradition in existence.
"Throughout the city culture and arts blend together and flourish seamlessly, while Seoul is steadily evolving into a beautiful patchwork of innovative design," said Oh during his presentation at the Foreign Correspondents Club in Seoul.
The title "World Design Capital" refers to a city that can put visionary designs into practice to achieve results in improving the quality of citizens' lives, and developing the city's economy and culture through the use of design. World Design Capital competition is held every two years. Through the competition, a city where the role of design is pervasive throughout the development process of the city's social, cultural and economic life.
Seoul's complete makeover is the brainchild of the mayor himself in an effort to establish his capital city as a world-class destination in arts and culture. He says not so long ago, a city's value rested on its "hard" assets - factories, roads, infrastructure and the like. Now in the 21st century, these qualities have taken a back seat as culture has become a critical determinant of a city's significance.
"Creating a culture-friendly city is now a key factor for improving the quality of life of urban residents and providing an economic basis for future growth," he said.
As World Design Capital 2010, Seoul Metropolitan Government led by Oh will radically transform itself from a "hard city" into a "soft city", using urban design to create the many projects including: Hangang Renaissance, Dongdaemun Design Plaza and Park, Global Seoul, City of Arts and Culture, Green Seoul, IT Seoul and many more.
"The Seoul of tomorrow will be a green, materially rewarding and spiritually inspiring city where nature and tradition meet the world's most advanced technology. Leading architects and designers from all over the world will flock to Seoul to turn their dreams into reality," said Oh.
So far Seoul is already drawing more and more international fashion designers. Ralph Lauren opened its Korean flagship in Sinsa-dong last May, where Hermes and Marc Jacobs had already set up shop
Through a recent press tour, it was easy to see Seoul as a city of contrasts, where the old and the new coexist in harmony. Despite signs of modernity, Seoul, a city of 600-year history, embraces traditions. Ancient palaces and modern skyscrapers exist side by side while fashion-conscious locals in trendy outfits stroll through ubiquitous design-savvy public squares.
The Hangang Renaissance project is set to transform the beautiful Hangang River that runs through the capital, into a zone of nature and culture.
The concrete embankments of the Hangang's 76-km-long riverfront will be replaced with green areas while promenades and observation points will be built to allow passers-by to better appreciate the environment.
To improve the river's appeal to visitors, the river has been divided into 10 areas, each with its own cultural theme. The allow visitors to appreciate the arts and river scenery at the same time, the city will operate a 368-seat concert boat, equipped with multi-purpose performance facilities. The riverside will also host festivities, from the Spring Butterfly Festival to the Seoul International Fireworks Festival.
Meanwhile the Banpo Bridge (which connects north and south of Seoul) has been remodeled to accommodate a massive water fountain called Moonlight Rainbow. The fountain shoots down jets of water from each side of the bridge. About 190 tonnes of water per minute is shot down to the river from 380 nozzles along the bridge. Exterior lighting schemes illuminate the water show after sundown.
Another project that has changed Seoul's urban landscape is Gwanghwamun Square, which opened last August. The new statue of King Sejong the Great will be installed in the square 250 metres north of the statue of Admiral Yi. King Sejong invented Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, in the 15th century.
By restoring and accommodating the heritage of Yukjo Street (the centre of history, politics and administration during the Joseon Dynasty), the square will serve as a place to experience Korean history and culture, offering a panoramic view of Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Bugaksan Mountain.
Set to open later this year and designed by British architect Zaha Hadid, Dongdaemun Design Plaza and Park will serve as a multifunction exhibition and convention hall, featuring information centres, corporate support centres, a design street and other facilities. The design plaza will bring together the world's top designers and design firms to build international networks, thus becoming a mecca of world design creativity.
Seoul's historical heritage will be restored according to Mayor Oh's vision of Seoul as a city of history with its 600-year history.
At the heart of its history is Gyeongbokgung Palace, Korea's most famous that was torn down during the Japanese colonial period. The landmark Gwanghwamun Gate is being restored and returned to its original location.
The historic heritage of Namsan Mountain will also be fully restored. The Seoul fortress walls, Namsan's symbolic historic remains, will be restored with renovation scheduled for various cultural assets including Jangchungdan Monument, as well as 24 memorial monuments including Baekbeom statue, poem-inscribed Sowol Monument and Ryu Kwansoon statue. Furthermore, a 4.13-kilometre-long observatory trail to be developed alongside the soon-to-be restored fortress wall is expected to provide visitors with a unique experience of enjoying nature in a historical location.
Oh believes that with the unleashing of the creativity of Seoul's residents, his cultural capital will truly be a global city that is "both an environmentally friendly as well as attractive place to live."
The writer travelled to Seoul courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government.
