Comprehensive Survey of Modern Architectural Heritage... Promoting Preservation Through Acquisition and Registration as Cultural Heritage
Daejeon City announced that it conducted a comprehensive survey of modern and contemporary architectural cultural heritage and selected 308 sites with historical and rarity value as Outstanding Architectural Cultural Heritage.
From March 2023 to June this year, over approximately 15 months, the city surveyed 26,720 buildings listed in the building register. Through on-site inspections and aerial photo-cadastral map synthesis, 14,410 buildings over 50 years old were cataloged.
Following briefing sessions and expert consultations, the city evaluated the historical, artistic, academic, preservation, and rarity value of the sites, which are criteria for designation or registration as cultural heritage, and finally selected 308 as Outstanding Architectural Cultural Heritage.
Based on this, the sites were classified into Grade 1 (national or city-designated heritage or national registration level), Grade 2 (city-registered cultural heritage, 62 sites), and Grade 3 (Outstanding Architectural Assets, 246 sites). No Grade 1 heritage was identified in this survey.
Among the Outstanding Architectural Assets, buildings from the 1960s and 1970s accounted for the largest share at 50.4%. Most of these are residential and commercial facilities. By region, Dong-gu had the most with 187 sites (60.7%), followed by Jung-gu with 82 sites (26.6%).
Old Chungnam Provincial Office Auditorium (Grade 2) located in Seonhwa-dong, Jung-gu, Daejeon / Daejeon City
Based on the survey results, the city plans to pursue various preservation and utilization measures in the future. Efforts will be made for active preservation through acquisition, while also revitalizing unused spaces through leasing. If physical preservation is not possible, the city plans to leave detailed records such as precise measurements, 3D scans, and model production, build an archive, and make it available to citizens.
In addition, the city will continue institutional approaches such as registering cultural heritage under the Modern and Contemporary Cultural Heritage Act and selecting Outstanding Architectural Assets under the Architectural Assets Act for structures like Hanok.
Noh Gisoo, Director of Culture, Arts, and Tourism for Daejeon City, said, "Until now, Daejeon City has made efforts to preserve modern and contemporary buildings, such as acquiring the former Chungnam Provincial Government Village, Daejeon City Hall, and Korea Electric Power Daejeon Supply Station, and remodeling the former Temi Library to create the Second Daejeon Literature Hall. However, these efforts have felt somewhat sporadic. With this comprehensive survey, we will be able to proactively protect modern and contemporary architectural heritage and establish a clearer management system."
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