"Like Japan's Akihabara... A Converged City Linking Large and Small Businesses and Shops" [The Future of Yongsan]

Interview with Urban Planning Expert Nam Jin, Professor at University of Seoul
"Cities with Only Large Corporations Struggle to Long-Run"
Must Integrate Residential, Work, and Leisure Spaces
Tokyo Akihabara Case Revived After Major Renovation
Need for 'Coordinator' Role for Harmonious Development

"If global and large corporations move into the Yongsan International Business District, ICT-based ventures and startups can enter the electronics market. A city must be inclusive. Just as Akihabara, which declined as industries changed, was revived after a major redevelopment project, we need to create a convergent city linking large and small companies and commercial districts."

Namjin, Professor of Urban Engineering at University of Seoul Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

Nam Jin, a professor of urban engineering at the University of Seoul, emphasized "connection and convergence" as the future vision of Yongsan Electronics Market in an interview with Asia Economy. To become the Silicon Valley of Asia, it must serve as an innovation hub linked to the International Business District and faithfully fulfill support roles such as housing and green spaces. Professor Nam, an expert in urban planning and development, also serves on the Seoul City Urban Planning Committee.

Professor Nam said, "A city with only large corporations cannot sustain long-term growth. It must be able to integrate residential, work, and leisure functions." He added, "The electronics market can create synergy when innovative companies supporting the International Business District, residential areas for youth, entrepreneurs, and young employees, as well as leisure facilities like green spaces and food and beverage (F&B) establishments, are connected."

As competition between cities intensifies alongside international competition, urban planning has reached a "turning point." Professor Nam stated, "Seoul must compete with Tokyo, Paris, London, and New York. We cannot be satisfied with the current infrastructure. We must constantly consider spaces needed by modern people and younger generations."

In the past, land use was clearly divided into residential, commercial, and business areas, but recently, mixed-use development in city centers has become important. This concept is reflected in the development strategy for Yongsan Electronics Market. Developers are required to include 30% of new industry uses such as ICT, while planning residential use at no more than 50%.

Namjin, Professor of Urban Engineering, University of Seoul Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

Professor Nam explained, "We ensured that new industries, housing, and culture are not concentrated in one area. The 30% ratio is the minimum to define the identity of the designated use area. For a city to grow, it is important to fuse uses and secure diversity."

Professor Nam believes that even within the electronics market, large and small buildings should harmoniously converge. Tokyo’s Akihabara, which started similarly to Yongsan Electronics Market but took a different path, is a representative example. In 2001, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government promoted redevelopment through the Akihabara Urban Development Guidelines to foster Akihabara as an IT hub. From the mid-2000s, companies and research institutes gathered in Akihabara, which became the center of subculture with games, animation, and electronics.

Professor Nam explained, "Akihabara was developed as an emotional cultural space combining large buildings, small shops, new industries, and retro elements. It is worth considering ways to commercialize emotions and memories in Yongsan Electronics Market as well."

During the redevelopment of the electronics market, areas with many owners such as Seonin and Wonhyo Shopping Centers and those with single owners like Najin Shopping Center inevitably experience different development speeds. A mediation process is needed to encourage development in harmony with existing complexes. Japanese developers such as Mori Building and Mitsubishi invested capital and persuaded residents to achieve large-scale development, but such developers are rare in Korea.

Professor Nam advised, "There needs to be an entity like Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH Corporation) or a coordinator to play this role. It cannot end after selling units." He added, "Like pre-negotiations in urban planning, owners’ opinions should be collected, and through education and meetings, development should be pursued together."