[Seoul's Future] Professor Mo Jong-rin: "We Must Create Brand Neighborhoods for Working, Living, and Playing"

'The Future of Seoul, The Future of Seochon' Keynote Speech
"Fill Seochon Commercial Area, Increase Resident Population"
Emphasis on Linking Gwanghwamun, Myeongdong, and Yongsan Areas
From a Neighborhood to Visit to a Neighborhood to Live In

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] "A neighborhood-strong city is an attractive city. We need to create a work-live-play 'Jik-Ju-Rak' center in Seochon and connect it with various regions."

Professor Mo Jong-rin of Yonsei University Graduate School of International Studies, known as the 'Alleyway Economist,' emphasized that for Seoul to rise as a 'neighborhood-strong city,' Seochon must be developed into a branded neighborhood equipped with all elements of 'Jik-Ju-Rak' (work, live, play).

On the 16th, Professor Mo delivered the keynote speech titled "Why We Must Find the Future of Seoul in Seochon" at the '2022 Seoul Future Forum' hosted by Asia Economy at Maehwa Hall on the 19th floor of the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul.

He said, "After experiencing COVID-19, the 15-minute city and 'Jik-Ju-Rak centers' have become important. A representative successful case is 'Mayongseong (Mapo, Yongsan, Seongdong districts),' and Jung-gu and Jongno-gu can become the 'Next Mayongseong.' To become a Jik-Ju-Rak center, commercial districts must be filled, and the resident population must increase," he emphasized.

Manhattan and Brooklyn in New York, Ginza and Kichijoji in Tokyo, and Seattle and Portland in the U.S. are all parts of one city but distinctly different in character. Manhattan, Ginza, and Seattle are 'ultra-modern cities' with convenient transportation and advanced urban infrastructure. Brooklyn, Kichijoji, and Portland are 'post-modern' cities characterized by walkable streets and commercial districts built by small business owners. Professor Mo said, "Within one city, ultra-modern and post-modern cities complement each other. The cities we like are those where neighborhoods are connected," adding, "In the past, Myeongdong and Gwanghwamun were the main courses in Seoul, but nowadays neighborhoods are becoming increasingly important."

With the presidential office relocation and the opening of the Blue House, Seochon has reached a major turning point, but Jung-gu and Jongno-gu adjacent to Seochon are strongly perceived as business and cultural/historical districts. Professor Mo's solution is to develop alleyway commercial districts and increase low- and mid-rise residential areas by connecting with surrounding zones to create a 'Jik-Ju-Rak center.'

Professor Mo said, "You cannot find the future by looking at Seochon alone," emphasizing, "We must create a 'Seochon-Myeongdong central Jik-Ju-Rak center' connected with the Gwanghwamun, Myeongdong, and Yongsan areas." A Jik-Ju-Rak center refers to a region where people work, enjoy, and live nearby. Connecting these three zones through a Jik-Ju-Rak center is a way to revitalize Seochon by fusing modern and post-modern elements.

He added, "Commercial facilities should be introduced along the park path connecting Bukchon and Seochon, and a road passing through Gyeongbokgung Palace is also necessary to connect Seochon and Bukchon," stating, "Improving the pedestrian environment is essential for integrating Bukchon and Seochon, and we must go beyond Seochon and Gwanghwamun to Myeongdong together."

Professor Mo Jong-rin of Yonsei University Graduate School of International Studies attended the '2022 Seoul Future Forum' held at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 16th and delivered a keynote speech on the topic "The Future of Seoul, Why Should We Look to Seochon?" Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

It is also necessary to improve the pedestrian environment and accessibility centered on the main roads connecting the zones and to zone the Seochon commercial district by distinguishing key facilities such as Sejong Food Alley, Tongin Market, and Park No-su Art Museum. Professor Mo said, "It is necessary to cultivate branded commercial districts that highlight Seochon's characteristics and nurture local creators," adding, "Revitalizing the commercial district around Baehwa Women's University should also accompany this."

In the 'Jik-Ju-Rak center,' 'residence' should be addressed through small-scale housing maintenance projects that preserve the culture of existing roads and alleys. This approach aims to maintain Seochon's unique identity while also addressing housing supply. Instead of massive apartments that erase the city's character, mid- to low-rise mixed-use residential and commercial buildings should be supplied. Representative examples include Hwang Du-jin's 'Rainbow Rice Cake Architecture' and Kim Seong-hong's 'Street Corner Architecture.' The 'Moatown' housing maintenance project promoted by Seoul City is also spreading a low-rise residential urban regeneration model.

Professor Mo Jong-rin of Yonsei University Graduate School of International Studies is delivering a keynote speech on the topic "The Future of Seoul, Why Should We Look to Seochon?" at the "2022 Seoul Future Forum" held on the 16th at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Professor Mo said, "Utilizing low- and mid-rise residential areas allows for the inclusion of various commercial establishments, and as the resident population increases, companies will naturally gather," emphasizing, "The world's best museums and art are flowing into Gwanghwamun, but we only treat it as a 'cultural district.' A city where small business owners thrive is the city we want."