[Choi Jun-young's Urban Pilgrimage] Parks and Cities

As housing prices in Seoul rise, measures to increase supply are being considered. In the past, new housing was supplied by securing land on the outskirts, but this method is no longer feasible at present. Accordingly, efforts continue to identify and develop various small parcels of land that have not been properly utilized to increase new housing supply even slightly. Amid this, there has been ongoing talk of developing Yongsan Park, located in the heart of Seoul, into a large-scale housing district. The proposal argues that since it is located in the city center with good transportation conditions and is government-owned land, building high-density housing there could dramatically increase housing supply and stabilize the housing market. Regardless of feasibility and practicality, this reflects that everyone is seriously thinking about and urgently accepting the issue of housing supply.

Urban Parks, Emerging After the Industrial Revolution
From Private Ownership to Shared Spaces

Urban parks emerged as a product of city development following the Industrial Revolution. As the English term "public park" suggests, parks were originally private gardens, estates, or hunting grounds owned by royalty or nobility that were opened to the public for convenient use by anyone. In other words, they were gardens for everyone. The need and importance of parks began to be recognized as large populations concentrated in cities due to the Industrial Revolution. As many people lived in cramped and poor housing, the demand for pleasant spaces grew, forming a pillar of social reform movements. Parks appeared as a compromise with revolution. They represented a revolutionary change in land use, moving away from private ownership and use toward land that everyone could share.

The importance of parks increased as urban density grew. Parks, which allow people to escape narrow homes and engage in various activities and relationships, were regarded as an escape from the bleakness of city life. Starting in the UK, parks gradually spread worldwide via the US, becoming essential urban spaces. In Korea, urban parks were long victims of greed and corruption. Park lands secured through urban planning were often repurposed for building construction. Speculation about massive favors and deals arose each time, but such behavior repeated. Surviving parks were concentrated in remote, cramped, and steep areas rather than convenient locations. Even these remaining parks were frequently used for public buildings. In the early 1990s, parks were considered land where buildings could be constructed without land costs.

Bundang Central Park, Ilsan Lake Park, etc.
Changes in Urban Parks in Korea After the Seoul Olympics and First-Generation New Town Construction

Choi Jun-young, Senior Advisor at Law Firm Yulchon

The trend began to change with the Seoul Olympics, the construction of first-generation new towns starting in the late 1980s, and the full implementation of local autonomy in 1994. The Olympic Park, which combined various sports facilities and parks for the Olympics, made people aware of what urban parks are. Parks located in the central areas of new towns became symbolic of each new town.

Considering Bundang without Central Park and Ilsan without Lake Park illustrates the role and importance of parks in new towns. With the implementation of local autonomy, efforts were made to supply parks tailored to residents' demands in each region. After the OB Brewery factory left, the area behind Yeongdeungpo Station was converted into a park, and Yeouido Square, once an asphalt plaza, transformed into Yeouido Park. The trash-filled Yeouido Saetgang became an ecological park. Small plots scattered throughout the city began to change into small but well-equipped parks.

Considered an Escape from Bleak Urban Life
30 Years of Efforts to Enhance Urban Appeal

Apartment complexes, once symbols of bleakness, also began to change. The idea of creating parks by preventing cars from driving on the ground level was dismissed as unrealistic due to cost in the mid-1990s but became a reality within a few years. As the desire to enjoy park-like spaces without traveling far grew, outdoor spaces in apartments rapidly transformed. Beyond simply increasing green areas, spaces with forests and various concepts began to be emphasized. Although these spaces were created on private land, concepts like publicly accessible open spaces were applied, allowing nearby residents to use them.

Through 30 years of effort, many parks have been established in Seoul. Saplings that once seemed fragile have grown into large trees providing ample shade. Spaces created through human effort and time have become elements that enhance the city's appeal. Trees were planted along the Han River, where none could be planted before for fear of obstructing floodwaters, and Cheonggyecheon, once filled with harsh car exhaust, became a flowing water space.

Do Not Destroy Parks for Immediate Increase in New Housing Supply

People often fail to appreciate value when it is taken for granted. Those who once demanded parks when they were scarce are now suggesting tearing down parks to build houses. Knowing that a city cannot consist solely of houses and roads, we have spent considerable costs and efforts over the past 30 years to secure parks belatedly. Although urban parks may seem like land inefficiently used or left idle, we have experienced that they are ultimately the most effective use of land. Yet people suddenly speak as if unaware of this.

If more houses are needed, old houses can be demolished and taller buildings constructed to create more homes. However, it is impossible to create parks by demolishing houses or buildings. Proposing to damage parks, which cannot be restored once destroyed, to solve immediate problems is like eating the seeds now and giving up next year's harvest. Seoul does have land. The priority is to improve and remove systems and regulations that prevent efficient land use. We must prevent buildings from being packed so densely that it suffocates and instead encourage complexes that supply green spaces. We must not forget that parks have value because they belong to everyone.

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