{"id":2204871,"date":"2024-04-26T16:10:28","date_gmt":"2024-04-26T07:10:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2204871"},"modified":"2024-05-02T16:24:27","modified_gmt":"2024-05-02T07:24:27","slug":"seouls-urban-renewal-sparks-fears-of-gentrification-and-cultural-erosion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/04\/seouls-urban-renewal-sparks-fears-of-gentrification-and-cultural-erosion\/","title":{"rendered":"Seoul\u2019s urban renewal sparks fears of gentrification and cultural erosion"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon\u2019s proposal to construct a 200-meter high-rise some half a mile (700 meters) from the historic Jongmyo Shrine has ignited a fierce debate about balancing urban redevelopment and cultural heritage preservation. The contentious plan risks undermining the integrity of the UNESCO World Heritage site and displacing long-standing local businesses in Seoul\u2019s Sewoon District.<\/p>\n<p>Jongmyo Shrine, South Korea\u2019s oldest Confucian royal shrine, dates back to the 16th century and continues to host traditional ritual ceremonies, symbolizing South Korea\u2019s commitment to preserving its historical heritage.<\/p>\n<p>The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has intervened, requesting a comprehensive status report from the Seoul Metropolitan Government to assess the potential impact of the proposed development on the shrine.<\/p>\n<p>Oh first proposed the Sewoon District development plan in 2006, initially including buildings up to 400 feet (122 meters) tall in front of Jongmyo. The Cultural Heritage Committee\u2019s ongoing reviews significantly reduced this height to 170 feet (52 meters) in 2018 to adhere to heritage preservation standards.<\/p>\n<p>However, Oh\u2019s successor, former Mayor Park Won-soon, later relaxed these constraints, allowing buildings up to 295 feet (90 meters) in certain districts to facilitate more extensive urban redevelopment.<\/p>\n<p>Upon returning to office, Oh reintroduced his plans for the area, which now permits a maximum height of 695 feet (212 meters), significantly intensifying the district\u2019s development trajectory.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 33%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-2204871 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-post_feature_image'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/04\/seouls-urban-renewal-sparks-fears-of-gentrification-and-cultural-erosion\/3-26\/'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"935\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/04\/3-4-935x500.png\" class=\"attachment-post_feature_image size-post_feature_image\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-2204874\" srcset=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/04\/3-4-935x500.png 935w, https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/04\/3-4-1255x670.png 1255w, https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/04\/3-4.png 1870w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 935px) 100vw, 935px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-2204874'>\n\t\t\t\tSimulated view of the proposed buildings in Zone 4 | Image: Cheongyecheon Euljiro Anti-Gentrification Alliance\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/04\/seouls-urban-renewal-sparks-fears-of-gentrification-and-cultural-erosion\/4-16\/'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"935\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/04\/4-2-935x500.png\" class=\"attachment-post_feature_image size-post_feature_image\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-2204875\" srcset=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/04\/4-2-935x500.png 935w, https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/04\/4-2-1255x670.png 1255w, https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/04\/4-2.png 1870w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 935px) 100vw, 935px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-2204875'>\n\t\t\t\tSimulated view of the proposed buildings in Zone 3 | Image: Cheongyecheon Euljiro Anti-Gentrification Alliance\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/04\/seouls-urban-renewal-sparks-fears-of-gentrification-and-cultural-erosion\/5-12\/'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"935\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/04\/5-3-935x500.png\" class=\"attachment-post_feature_image size-post_feature_image\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-2204876\" srcset=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/04\/5-3-935x500.png 935w, https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/04\/5-3-1255x670.png 1255w, https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/04\/5-3.png 1870w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 935px) 100vw, 935px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-2204876'>\n\t\t\t\tSimulated view of the proposed buildings in Zone 6 | Image: Cheongyecheon Euljiro Anti-Gentrification Alliance\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><b>PRESERVING CULTURAL LANDSCAPES<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Cheongyecheon Euljiro Anti-Gentrification Alliance has <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/04\/230711_%EB%B3%B4%EB%8F%84%EC%9E%90%EB%A3%8C-%EC%84%B8%EC%9A%B4%EC%A7%80%EC%97%AD-%EA%B3%A0%EC%B8%B5-%EB%8F%84%EC%8B%AC%EC%9E%AC%EA%B0%9C%EB%B0%9C%EB%A1%9C-%EC%9D%B8%ED%95%9C-%EC%84%B8%EA%B3%84%EC%9C%A0%EC%82%B0-%EC%A2%85%EB%AC%98-%EA%B2%BD%EA%B4%80%EC%9D%98-%EC%8B%AC%EA%B0%81%ED%95%9C-%ED%9B%BC%EC%86%90-%EC%9C%84%EA%B8%B0-%EC%A7%80%EC%97%AD%EC%8B%9C%EB%AF%BC%EB%8B%A8%EC%B2%B4%EA%B0%80-%EC%9C%A0%EB%84%A4%EC%8A%A4%EC%BD%94-%EB%B3%B8%EB%B6%80%EB%A1%9C-%EB%AF%BC%EC%9B%90-%EC%A0%9C%EC%B6%9C-1.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">expressed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> concerns about the proposed tower in the Sewoon District, warning that it could disrupt Jongmyo Shrine\u2019s scenic vista. The alliance also criticized Seoul\u2019s constantly changing redevelopment plans, arguing that different mayoral administrations\u2019 political agendas influence them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The alliance asserts that the city should preserve its historical and cultural landscapes, particularly those surrounding heritage sites like Jongmyo Shrine, rather than sacrificing them for short-term real estate projects.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kang In-uk, a history professor at Kyung Hee University, questions the appropriateness of constructing a skyscraper near a significant cultural site.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe idea of building a 200-meter mixed-use apartment complex near Jongmyo Shrine is unfathomable. Can you imagine people\u2019s reaction if someone proposed to do the same thing right next to the Eiffel Tower?\u201d Kang said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kang further stated that cultural heritage extends beyond artifacts to their surrounding environments and that legislative approaches allowing tall constructions near important cultural sites are impractical and culturally insensitive.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oh has attempted to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news1.kr\/articles\/5372916\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reassure<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> critics, stating that the project will not harm Jongmyo Shrine\u2019s landscape but will create a sizeable green axis that significantly enhances the shrine\u2019s surrounding areas. He also noted that the development falls outside the 100-meter regulated zone for cultural heritage conservation.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2204873\" style=\"width: 1880px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2204873\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2204873\" src=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/04\/2-5.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1870\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/04\/2-5-935x500@2x.png 1870w, https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/04\/2-5-935x500.png 935w, https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/04\/2-5-1255x670.png 1255w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1870px) 100vw, 1870px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2204873\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A simulated view of the Seoul\u2019s current Sewoon District | Image: <a href=\"https:\/\/museum.seoul.go.kr\/archive\/archiveNew\/NR_archiveList.do?ctgryId=CTGRY554&amp;type=A\">Seoul Museum of History<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p><b>PROGRESS MARCHES ON<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, Kwon Dae-jung, a professor of real estate studies at Sogang University, states that the project does not require cultural heritage permits.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThere is no need to obtain cultural heritage permits for development since there are no legal height restrictions outside the conservation area,&#8221; he told <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Korea Pro<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lee Eun-hyung, a researcher from the Korea Research Institute for Construction Policy, emphasizes the importance of ongoing dialogue and balanced perspectives in urban development.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe old downtown of Jongno should not remain static if it compromises the city\u2019s vibrancy,\u201d Lee said. \u201cThe issue is not merely about adhering to height restrictions or preserving the old but about integrating new developments in a way that respects both the historical legacy and the contemporary urban needs of Seoul.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To emphasize his point, Oh criticized his predecessor for failing to approve the demolition of the Sewoon Shopping Center, which was developed in 1967 as South Korea\u2019s first mixed-use apartment complex due to its historical significance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although the once economically vibrant area began to decline in the late 1980s with the emergence of new businesses in other parts of the city, the old shopping center still stands.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oh stated that the shopping center now merely serves as an obstacle to redevelopment projects, describing the sight of the building as \u201cextremely disheartening.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, researcher Lee pushed back, emphasizing the need to balance development and preservation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhile Mayor Oh Se-hoon\u2019s approach aims to rejuvenate and modernize urban spaces, it must be carefully managed to avoid undermining the historical integrity of areas like Jongno,\u201d Lee told <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Korea Pro<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u201cSo, constructing densely packed high-rises near culturally significant sites such as Jongmyo Shrine is not advisable.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>UNESCO INTERVENTION<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UNESCO\u2019s recent scrutiny of the proposed development near Jongmyo Shrine echoes concerns previously raised by high-rise apartment projects near Gimpo, where apartment buildings obstructed views of the Gimpo Jangneung royal tomb, sparking public and institutional backlash.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Given past precedents, UNESCO\u2019s attention is particularly sharp this time. The organization has previously intervened to safeguard the landscapes of World Heritage sites from potentially harmful developments.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2006, London abandoned plans for a skyscraper near the Tower of London, a recognized World Heritage site, after UNESCO declared the area endangered.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Liverpool, designated as a World Heritage historic city in 2004, faced significant repercussions for its development choices. In 2021, UNESCO <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/whc.unesco.org\/en\/news\/2314\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stripped<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the city of its World Heritage status due to extensive redevelopment projects around its harbor that resulted in \u201can irreversible loss\u201d of the historical significance of its Victorian docks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kang from Kyung Hee University suggests that recognizing the economic potential of these assets can lead to more informed and culturally sensitive urban planning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhile not coercive, engagements with international bodies like UNESCO play a pivotal role in setting standards that prevent the cultural and economic self-sabotage seen in some development policies,\u201d Kang said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cInvesting in cultural heritage is not merely a preservation effort but also a significant economic opportunity. Countries that rigorously manage their historical sites attract substantial tourism, which fuels local economies,\u201d Kang added.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2204877\" style=\"width: 1880px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2204877\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2204877\" src=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/04\/6-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1870\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/04\/6-1-935x500@2x.png 1870w, https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/04\/6-1-935x500.png 935w, https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/04\/6-1-1255x670.png 1255w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1870px) 100vw, 1870px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2204877\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Front view of the Sewoon Plaza | Image: <a href=\"https:\/\/english.seoul.go.kr\/sewoon-plaza\/\">Seoul Metropolitan Government<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p><b>FINANCIAL BURDENS AND GENTRIFICATION<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, it remains to be seen if Mayor Oh\u2019s redevelopment plans are feasible, considering their hefty costs. Oh\u2019s plan involves transforming commercial zones into parklands. Acquiring these privately owned lands could cost about $1 billion (1.5 trillion won).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The city plans to address ownership challenges through compulsory acquisition or land swaps, but this strategy has proven costly in the past. Seoul spent $145 million (200 billion won) in 2009 to demolish a single building in front of Sewoon Plaza for urban renewal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Amid these cost concerns, the Cheongyecheon Euljiro Anti-Gentrification Alliance argues that Oh\u2019s redevelopment plans undermine downtown businesses and industries, particularly the printing sector in less developed neighborhoods.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oh\u2019s critics accuse the Seoul Metropolitan Government and national authorities of neglecting established small businesses and allowing developers and major corporations to engage in unchecked real estate speculation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This unchecked real estate speculation has led to long-standing merchants and tenants being <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/04\/230615_%EB%B3%B4%EB%8F%84%EC%9E%90%EB%A3%8C%EC%B2%AD%EA%B3%84%EC%B2%9C%EC%9D%84%EC%A7%80%EB%A1%9C%EB%B3%B4%EC%A1%B4%EC%97%B0%EB%8C%80-%EB%93%B1-%EC%8B%9C%EB%AF%BC%EB%8B%A8%EC%B2%B4-%EC%82%AC%EC%8B%A4%EC%83%81-%EC%B2%AD%EA%B3%84%EC%B2%9C-%EC%9D%84%EC%A7%80%EB%A1%9C-%EC%A0%84%EB%A9%B4%EC%9E%AC%EA%B0%9C%EB%B0%9C%EC%9D%B8-%EC%84%9C%EC%9A%B8%EC%8B%9C%EC%9D%98-%E2%80%98%EB%85%B9%EC%A7%80%EC%83%9D%ED%83%9C%EB%8F%84%EC%8B%AC-%EC%9E%AC%EC%B0%BD%EC%A1%B0-%EC%A0%84%EB%9E%B5-%EA%B7%9C%ED%83%84-%EC%8B%9C%EB%AF%BC%EC%97%B0%EC%84%9C%EB%AA%85-%EC%9A%B4%EB%8F%99-%EC%A0%84%EA%B0%9C.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">forced to leave<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> their shops and homes due to soaring rent prices. In their place, corporations are filling commercial units, leading to further gentrification of the city.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, even with such businesses moving in, some of Seoul\u2019s old business districts are experiencing significant <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/n.news.naver.com\/article\/079\/0003881764?sid=101\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">non-occupancy rates<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> due to challenges in selling or renting out existing properties and difficulties securing loans.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhile Seoul&#8217;s urban development initiatives aim to enhance city life and global competitiveness, they must also prioritize cultural heritage conservation, ensuring that development meets current needs while respecting and preserving the city\u2019s historical narrative and cultural identity,\u201d researcher Lee told <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Korea Pro<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Edited by John Lee<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<div class=\"content-tags\"><a href=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/tag\/business-economy\/\"><span class=\"tag\">Business &amp; Economy<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/tag\/culture-society\/\"><span class=\"tag\">Culture &amp; Society<\/span><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon\u2019s proposal to construct a 200-meter high-rise some half a mile (700 meters) from the historic Jongmyo Shrine has ignited a fierce debate about balancing urban redevelopment and cultural heritage preservation. The contentious plan risks undermining the integrity of the UNESCO World Heritage site and displacing long-standing local businesses in Seoul\u2019s Sewoon [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10781,"featured_media":2204872,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[24,25],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Seoul\u2019s urban renewal sparks fears of gentrification and cultural erosion - KOREA PRO<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/04\/seouls-urban-renewal-sparks-fears-of-gentrification-and-cultural-erosion\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Seoul\u2019s urban renewal sparks fears of gentrification and cultural erosion - KOREA PRO\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon\u2019s proposal to construct a 200-meter high-rise some half a mile (700 meters) from the historic Jongmyo Shrine has ignited a fierce debate about balancing urban redevelopment and cultural heritage preservation. 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