Gangdong-gu Builds Attractive City Image Based on 'Grand Design'

[Seoul District News] Gangdong-gu Launches 2023 'Grand Design' Project to Brand a Sophisticated and Elegant City Image & Communicates with Residents to Develop a Mid- to Long-Term Roadmap for Beautiful Urban Landscape Design... Yongsan-gu Renovates 4 Sites with Murals Including Seobinggo and Hannam-dong Fences and 2 Itaewon Staircases

Temporary Construction Site Fence Featuring Works by Emerging and Mid-Career Artists

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The foundation of architecture is design. This is because design is not merely a simple drawing but functions like compressed data that considers all essential information related to the entire architecture. Ignoring this can lead to poor construction quality. Therefore, to enhance the completeness of the final product, an accurate blueprint based on precise direction and information must precede the process.

Since the inauguration of the 8th civil administration in July, Lee Soo-hee, Mayor of Gangdong-gu, has emphasized the importance of drawing a blueprint that will lead the change and innovation desired by the residents of Gangdong-gu. To this end, a dedicated organization was first established, and in 2023, a 'Grand Design' project will commence to establish a long-term and comprehensive urban plan for Gangdong-gu. This 'Grand Design' will transform various parts of Gangdong-gu, adding innovation to the urban landscape and creating a sophisticated and dignified city image.

Thus, Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Soo-hee) has embarked on a path of change and innovation.

Branding a dignified city image through selection and concentration

The urban landscape is connected to all aspects of daily life and has a comprehensive impact on the lives of city residents. As such, the landscape greatly symbolizes the unique identity of the region and the overall policy direction. Accordingly, Gangdong-gu has established a landscape policy direction based on 'selection and concentration' to efficiently bring about changes that residents can feel.

The district plans to promote urban design projects using lighting that reflect the characteristics of various areas such as the Han River waterfront, prehistoric sites, and Godeok Biz Valley. Rather than fragmented landscape projects, a mid- to long-term roadmap is being developed to systematically transform lesser-known areas of Gangdong-gu into beautiful nighttime scenic spots through urban landscape policies.

Additionally, to erase the stereotype that public facilities are unsophisticated, a refined and dignified Gangdong-style public design was developed last November. Both design development and pilot installations have been completed, and next year, this will be applied to public facilities such as on-street parking booths within the district. The district explained that these fundamental improvements will lay the foundation for building the city image and mark the vigorous beginning of change toward 'Grand Design Gangdong.'

Designing the city together through communication with residents

Among urban policies, the landscape sector especially requires communication and consensus with residents above all else. This is because it can prevent misunderstandings and unnecessary problems that may arise from a lack of communication during policy implementation, enabling much more efficient project progress. Therefore, Gangdong-gu has established various communication channels to design the city together with residents.

The 'Gangdong Landscape Resident Participation Group,' consisting of 39 members selected through an open recruitment in September, has already discussed and expressed opinions on the policy direction for major landscape projects next year. Based on this, the urban landscape project direction will be reviewed and implemented step by step.

At construction sites undergoing redevelopment and reconstruction, innovative ideas have been applied to the outer walls of construction fences. Designs using works by emerging and mid-career artists have been applied to temporary fences that could otherwise spoil the surrounding landscape. In connection with Seoul City's 'We-up Project,' works by artists with developmental disabilities have also been utilized, carefully renovating various parts of the city.

Similarly, a project is underway to improve the interior and exterior design of stores by utilizing the talents of local young artists. Named 'Gangdong-style Artterior,' this project supports young artists with activity funds to improve the interior and exterior spaces of stores on the aging streets of the area. While supporting the dreams of young artists, it aims to revitalize the local economy by enhancing store designs in Cheonho Rodeo Street and simultaneously establish a foundation as a youth hub space.

Lee Soo-hee, Mayor of Gangdong-gu, stated, “Based on the meticulously designed 'Grand Design Gangdong' from a broad perspective, we will realize a distinctive and attractive city image,” adding, “With a systematic and mid- to long-term plan, we will transform Gangdong-gu into a proud city that everyone wants to visit.”

Yongsan-gu (Mayor Park Hee-young) has completed mural projects at four locations, including the walls in Seobinggo and Hannam-dong, and two staircases in Itaewon.

This was part of efforts to create a pleasant and safe residential environment by repairing old and deteriorated mural facilities within the district.

In March, the Architecture Department, responsible for the project, conducted a status survey of 51 mural sites installed between 2011 and 2021.

Considering the scale and urgency of repairs, three locations were selected: Seobinggo-ro 229 (wall), Itaewon-ro 36-gil 21, and Itaewon-ro 222-26 (stairs). Including Itaewon-ro 223-5 (wall), selected last year, a total of four sites were targeted.

The wall at Itaewon-ro 223-5 was newly painted following a resident proposal.

Seobinggo-ro 229, near the Dongbinggo rainwater pumping station, features a design aimed at preventing illegal dumping and improving nighttime visibility for pedestrians. The mural on the sloped wall at Itaewon-ro 223-5 includes phrases warning drivers about sudden acceleration and slip accidents to raise awareness and caution.

The murals on the staircases at Itaewon-ro 36-gil 21 and Itaewon-ro 222-26 were severely deteriorated due to paint peeling and contamination. Therefore, after repairing damaged stair parts for pedestrian safety, mural work was carried out.

An official from the district said, “We prioritized sites that were already installed but required repairs rather than new installations,” adding, “We will strive to maintain a pleasant residential environment not only through mural projects but also via environmental patrols to prevent illegal dumping and prompt garbage collection.”

Meanwhile, following the contract signing for the public facility design improvement project on July 19, the district commenced the project on August 16. After the Public Design Promotion Committee review on August 26, mural installation work began in earnest in November.

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