New urban housing in Seoul, Korea

Abstract

For the last three decades, the capital city of Korea, Seoul, has experienced an explosive increase in population and rapid urbanization. This increase has led to a severe housing shortage in Seoul. The government responded to this urgent demand for housing by building western style high-rise and high-density apartments. In this process, the government disregarded Korean architectural heritage and destroyed the old urban fabric. Today, after thirty years, Seoul is filled with 200 foot high white concrete boxes. Seoul lost many charming characteristics. Many old narrow streets are gone and are replaced by the straight traffic roads. A larger supermarket has replaced a small neighborhood grocery shop. To preserve the old neighborhoods of Seoul, a different planning practice should be implemented. This thesis examines the current housing trend in Seoul and proposes a plan for " Kyunam-dong. " Also, it proposes a representative building that not only respects the existing urban fabric but also provides the modern conveniences to its neighbor. The thesis aims to demonstrate how the alternative planning could preserve the old neighborhood as much as possible and keep people from leaving th is neighborhood.