[Seoul's Future] For "100-Year Seoul," "Citizen Empathy and Maturity Are Important"

Jo Byung-su, General Director of '2023 Seoul Urban Architecture Biennale'
Autonomy is Important to Change Uniform Urban Structures
Social Maturity and Transparency are Crucial in This Process

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] "The transformation of a city is ultimately determined by the people who live in it. To make Seoul a world-class city, we must go beyond the frameworks of regulations and laws. For that, forming a consensus among Seoul citizens and, above all, social maturity are crucial."

How can the ‘100 Years of Seoul’ plan continue to progress? Especially in Korean society, where ‘erasing the predecessor’s traces’ has become routine every time the administration or local government leadership changes. Jo Byungsoo, the General Director of the Seoul Urban Architecture Biennale, emphasized that ‘citizens’ consensus’ is the most important answer to this question.

Director Jo said, "For Seoul’s development, we must break free from the current frameworks that prevent creative urban planning, such as floor area ratio, building coverage ratio, and district unit plans," adding, "We need to derive urban plans that citizens can empathize with and use this agreed public opinion to change politicians." He explained that if a big picture of how to transform Seoul is created through citizens’ consensus, then when politicians shake this blueprint for their own benefit, it should be the citizens who step up again to ask and challenge ‘why the change is being made.’

He also stressed the importance of social maturity in this process. Recalling his visit to the Kaiserslautern City Hall in Germany, Director Jo said, "The scene of the department issuing building permits resembled an architectural design office." It was impressive that public officials did not simply review permits but sat together with citizens planning the architecture, looking over blueprints and persuading them according to the city’s 100-year blueprint.

He stated, "The way Kaiserslautern officials handled their work was to naturally guide new constructions to benefit from floor area ratio or building coverage ratio when aligned with the city’s 100-year blueprint," adding, "Although this approach may seem idealistic, it could raise concerns about favoritism, so mutual trust and transparent social maturity are more important than anything."

CEO Byungsoo Cho./Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

Can we become such a society? Director Jo viewed the situation quite optimistically. He said, "I was surprised when I met local officials in Germany back in 1995," and added, "Comparing then and now, Korean society has matured and become much more transparent. I believe there is nothing we cannot achieve."

Director Jo raised his voice, saying, "Foreigners are amazed when shown Korea’s ancient architecture, such as Buseoksa Temple or Haeinsa Temple," and added, "We have a legacy of planning, designing, and building architecture that considers nature from early on." He further said, "Seoul has more beautiful nature than any other city in the world," and concluded, "If we leverage these strengths and our experience, Seoul will become the most distinctive city in the world."