Seoul Metropolitan Council's Kim Hee-geol, Chair of the Urban Planning Management Committee, Holds Meeting with Seoul Urban Architecture Biennale Member Organization Leaders

Discussion on the Operational Direction of the 2021 Seoul Urban Architecture Exhibition Hall

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Kim Hee-geol, Chair of the Urban Planning and Management Committee of the Seoul Metropolitan Council (Democratic Party, Yangcheon 4th District), held a meeting on the 21st at the Urban Planning and Management Committee conference room with the heads of member organizations of the Seoul Urban Architecture Biennale (SUA Biennale) in the presence of the Director of the Urban Space Improvement Division.

The SUA Biennale was established and composed of three representative urban architecture-related organizations?the Korea Institute of Registered Architects, the Korean Institute of Architects, and the Architectural Institute of Korea?along with cultural and artistic figures. It was selected as the entrusted institution for the Seoul Urban Architecture Exhibition Hall (entrustment period: February 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022). This meeting was arranged as an introductory meeting with the heads of member organizations of the SUA Biennale and to discuss the operational direction of the exhibition hall.

Seok Jeong-hoon, CEO of the SUA Biennale (President of the Korea Institute of Registered Architects), stated, “The exhibition hall is a venue for Seoul’s urban architecture policies and an important platform for both external and internal communication, making its status and role very significant.” He added, “We plan to actively fulfill the expected roles of the exhibition hall through consensus among urban and architectural organizations and cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Government,” expressing the purpose and aspirations of the corporation’s establishment.

In response, Chair Kim Hee-geol emphasized, “Successful policies and projects require proactive public-private cooperation above all,” urging close cooperation between the SUA Biennale and the Urban Space Improvement Division to ensure that creative and diverse ideas from the private sector are productively developed into policies and projects.

He also requested a thorough review of the entire process from exhibition planning to decision-making, management, and disposal at the Seoul Urban Architecture Exhibition Hall to prevent recurrence of incidents like the controversial ‘Cheomseongdae Exhibition’ last year.

Furthermore, he highlighted, “Since the location of the Seoul Urban Architecture Exhibition Hall is adjacent to major Seoul facilities such as Seoul City Hall, the Seoul Metropolitan Council, Deoksugung Palace, and Seoul Plaza, it has very high accessibility and usage by the general public. Therefore, the exhibition hall should be operated with more open themes and facilities, considering not only urban and architectural matters but also citizens’ interests and timeliness. Especially this year, as the 3rd Seoul Urban Architecture Biennale will be held (September 16 to October 31, 2021), the exhibition hall’s programs and the Biennale should be closely linked to create a synergistic effect.”