Hongdae Red Road Wins '2023 Asia Urban Landscape Award Grand Prize'

2023 Asia Urban Landscape Award Grand Prize Winner in the Prestigious International Landscape Field
Praised for Applying Vivid Colors and Bold Designs to Existing Streets
Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, "We Will Actively Develop Urban Landscape Resources to Create a Cultural Tourism City, Mapo"

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo District (right), received the grand prize at the 2023 Asia Urban Landscape Awards.

Mapo-gu (Mayor Park Gang-su)'s world-renowned tourist attraction, 'Hongdae Red Road,' was honored on the 17th with the grand prize at the 2023 Asian Townscape Awards.

The Asian Townscape Awards, established in 2010, are prestigious international awards in the field of townscape, presented by the UN-Habitat Fukuoka Office, Fukuoka Asian Urban Research Center, Asian Habitat Association, Asian Landscape Design Society, and Architectural Space Research Institute, with the goal of "creating a happy living environment for Asians."

Mapo-gu applied under the theme "Creating a People-Centered Cultural and Artistic Street Connecting the City, Hongdae Red Road," and received high praise from the judges for transforming the previously uniform Hongdae area into a distinctive street by applying vivid colors and bold designs.

In particular, through consultation and communication with nearby residents and merchants, on-street parking that threatened pedestrian safety was relocated to expand walking space, and to prevent accidents caused by large crowds, the road was painted with red anti-slip paint to enhance safety, drawing significant attention.

Additionally, over 4,800 drawings created by residents were attached to recycled flowerpots to form a beautiful streetscape, and efforts such as organizing spaces for Hongdae's representative cultural busking street performances were highly evaluated for creating a themed street that reflects Hongdae's identity together with the community.

Furthermore, the plan to naturally expand the commercial area from the Hongdae Red Road, which starts at the Gyeongui Line Forest Trail, to the Han River, thereby attracting tourists beyond the existing Hongdae central district, has become a model for other regions.

Mapo-gu plans to continue its efforts to ensure that the Hongdae Red Road project, which won the Asian Townscape Award, is recognized worldwide as a comprehensive initiative leading nature, culture, tourism, economy, and safety, rather than just a simple street maintenance project.

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, stated, "Hongdae Red Road, a representative landmark of Mapo, has been internationally recognized not only because of Mapo-gu but also due to the strength and efforts of its residents," adding, "We will continue to actively develop urban landscape resources so that Mapo-gu can grow into a cultured and tourist city with dignity."