General Director Thomas Heatherwick... Seoul Biennale Opening Forum to Be Held on the 27th

Forum to Be Held for Two Days Starting on the 27th
Over 400 Participants Including International Experts and Citizens

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on September 15 that, following the opening of the 5th Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism, it will host the "Emotional City" forum for two days starting from the 27th.

This opening forum will bring together over 400 participants, including global experts and leaders from diverse fields such as architecture, urban planning, neuroscience, and creative communities, to deeply explore the impact of building exteriors on our health and society.

The morning session on the first day will begin with the theme "Architecture for Pedestrians." The event will open with a welcoming address from Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon and a keynote speech by General Director Thomas Heatherwick. The subsequent panel discussion will be moderated by Professor Yoo Hyunjoon of Hongik University.

The afternoon session, themed "The Impact of Visual Complexity on Citizens' Health," will explore the scientific and social implications of building exteriors on human health and behavior. Presentations will be given by Dr. Upali Nanda, Director of Global Innovation at HKS in the United States, and Dr. Anna Kim. Under the guidance of Professor Rebecca Madgin, participants will have the opportunity to learn and experience methods for measuring emotions firsthand.

The morning session on the second day will open with an on-site guided tour of the main exhibition led by the General Director. After visiting the "Humanize Wall" and "Everyday Wall" installations at the Open Songhyeon Green Plaza, the forum will continue under the theme of "Beloved and Enduring Architecture." Additionally, General Director Thomas Heatherwick will deliver a keynote speech presenting a new direction for sustainable architecture under the theme "How to Be a Good Ancestor."

The afternoon session will focus on "Listening to the Stories of Communities," highlighting the alienation and frustration experienced by urban communities around the world amid urban change, and shedding light on ways for citizens to participate in making architecture more enjoyable and appealing. The event will conclude with a collaborative performance by creators from the creative community projects.

This opening forum has been organized as a platform to rediscover the impact of urban architecture on people and society and to envision sustainable cities. It aims to provide global urban leaders, experts, and citizens with inspiration and practical opportunities to reinvent human-centered urban architecture.

Citizens wishing to attend the opening forum can pre-register for either day on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of 100 people per day, through the Seoul Public Service Reservation website starting September 16. The forum will also be broadcast live on the official YouTube channels of the Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism and the Seoul Metropolitan Government on the day of the event.

Lim Changsoo, Director of Future Space Planning for the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated, "Through this opening forum, we will demonstrate that urban architecture is more than just physical space-it is a crucial element that directly affects the lives and emotions of citizens." He added, "Based on these discussions and experiences, the city will take the lead in making Seoul more human-centered and sustainable, and will work together with citizens to realize an 'attractive city for people.'"