Jeonju Wansan Library Area Transformed into a Complex Cultural Space

City Library Holds Kick-off Meeting for Cultural Regeneration Master Plan Research Project

Photo by Jeonju City Provided

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hong Jaehee] Wansan Library, formerly the representative library of Jeonju, Jeonbuk, is undergoing a major transformation into a complex cultural space linked with Jeonju Hanok Village, Seohak-dong Art Village, and Wansan Park.

On the 12th, Jeonju City Library announced that it held the 'Wansan Library Area Cultural Regeneration Master Plan Research Project Kick-off Meeting' attended by Mayor Kim Seung-su, Seo Young-joo, CEO of Urban Architecture Management Research Institute, the contractor, and Professor Baek Jin from Seoul National University’s Department of Architecture, among other stakeholders.

This research project aims to establish a complex cultural space for residents in the Wansan Library area of Wansan-dong, where cultural facilities are lacking, and to develop it into a tourism hub linked with the nearby Hanok Village, Seohak-dong Art Village, Nambu Market, the Donghak Peasant Revolution historical and cultural belt, and Wansan Flower Hill.

At the meeting, CEO Seo Young-joo emphasized the necessity of cultural regeneration, stating, “The Wansan Library area is home to various humanities, social, and cultural resources,” and added, “It is essential to understand the humanities and historical symbolic areas such as Nokdu-gwan and Chorokbawi, the natural and resting spaces like Gonji Mountain and Wansan Chilbong, and the tourism zones including Hanok Village, Nambu Market, and Seohak-dong Art Village from a broad perspective.”

He then presented the basic strategies for cultural regeneration in the Wansan Library area, including ▲yard, ▲rooftop, ▲connections between key elements, and ▲anchor facilities.

First, regarding the front yard of Wansan Library, he proposed creating a plaza under the theme of ‘Hilltop Nuri Yard’ where religion (Donghak), play, history, culture, and everyday activities can take place. He also suggested revitalizing rooftop culture as a unique regeneration point of Wansan Library to create a fresh landscape.

Simultaneously, he recommended improving the hill path at the entrance of Wansan Library and the paths connecting Chorokbawi and Nokdu-gwan into attractive pedestrian walkways. To foster a book-writing culture in the surrounding neighborhood, he proposed establishing various anchor facilities such as community bookstores and lifestyle-oriented cultural and artistic spaces where residents can engage in creative experiences and learning.

The city plans to complete the research project by the end of this year, then prepare detailed business plans and phased implementation strategies to commence the full-scale project.

Wansan Library is scheduled to be developed into an independent publishing specialized library and a complex cultural space for citizens by 2022, with a total project cost of 5.5 billion KRW, featuring book workshops, independent publication exhibitions, and a children's book playground where people can read, write, and create books.

A city library official stated, “In the old downtown area, which relatively lacks spaces for cultural, informational, and leisure activities compared to other regions, we will discover various projects that integrate surrounding tourism and cultural resources to link with Jeonju’s cultural tourism,” and added, “We will carry out a successful Jeonju-style cultural regeneration project so that residents can truly enjoy cultural benefits.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.