Architect Kim Young-jong, Mayor of Jongno-gu, Creates Clean Alleyways in Unni and Ikseon-dong

Includes improvements to pedestrian and nighttime environments, storefront facades, etc... Notably, the biggest achievement is transforming the vacant lot at Iksundong 25 into a garden and gallery rest area

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Jongno-gu (Mayor Kim Young-jong) has finally completed the alleyway regeneration project in the Unni and Ikseon-dong areas, which has been carefully promoted over a long period since 2018, after three years of construction last month.

This project gained momentum when Unni-dong and Ikseon-dong were selected as target sites in the 2018 Seoul City ‘Alleyway Regeneration Project’ district competition.

The goal of Jongno-gu was to revitalize the aging alleyways in this area by incorporating Jongno’s long history and culture, terrain, and residents’ lives, thereby enhancing urban competitiveness.

The district especially focused on preserving local identity while improving the living environment for nearby shops and residents, promoting a regeneration project evenly covering 18,000㎡ in the Unni-dong and Ikseon-dong areas.

The main components include ‘pedestrian environment improvement’ to create alleys where people want to walk and revisit, ‘storefront improvement’ through win-win agreements, creation of ‘community spaces and pocket gardens’ utilizing vacant lots, and ‘night environment improvement’ through the production and installation of address lighting.

Additionally, community activation was promoted through neighborhood meetings, and village guide maps were produced and installed to enhance convenience for residents and tourists.

Among these, the greatest achievement was transforming the long-neglected vacant lot at Ikseon-dong 25, measuring 109.1㎡, into a resting place with flower beds and a gallery, and providing it to the residents.

Despite being a beloved area for domestic and international tourists, this site had been hidden behind old and damaged fences and left abandoned for years.

The urban landscape was impaired, and illegal garbage scattered around caused frequent complaints from residents.

This site was also the most urgently requested area for maintenance during the regeneration project.

Accordingly, Jongno-gu coordinated with the landowner (online marriage information company Bombom) and finally decided to create an open space for residents. The owner provided the land free of charge, and the district constructed decks, rest benches, and flower beds.

The newly created Ikseon-dong 25 was named ‘Ikseon Gonggam’ (Ikseon Empathy) by gathering the will of local residents, and an information board was installed to share the story behind the space’s creation.

Mayor Kim Young-jong stated, “This case will serve as a model example of coexistence between landowners and local residents for regional regeneration,” adding, “We will promote various projects that preserve the value of alleyways as urban assets and enhance Jongno-gu’s urban competitiveness. Above all, we aim to improve residents’ quality of life and revitalize the local economic community through this process.”

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