[Insight & Opinion] The Climate Crisis and the Era of "Urban Reconfiguration"

Cities Once Seen as Spaces for Consumption
Now Evolving into Spaces for Sustainable Living

Living in a rapidly changing world, it feels like the 2010s have already become history. Looking back early, one cannot overlook cities among the trends that defined the 2010s. It was an era marked by great interest in cities, so much so that it could be called a "rediscovery of cities." In Korea, exploring old downtown areas became popular, and places that were good for walking quickly became famous on social media (SNS).

New-generation entrepreneurs remodeled old buildings to open so-called "hip" cafes, restaurants, and shops, which led to a flood of "newtro" sensibilities everywhere. Areas that grew into hot spots experienced rapid commercialization, causing rent increases that forced out the original shop owners who led the trend and long-time residents?a gentrification phenomenon unprecedented in Korea.

Redevelopment of old areas also took place. On one side, gentrification was happening, while on the other, redevelopment projects competed to move forward. In response, Seoul and several local governments proposed alternatives through "urban regeneration" policies instead of unconditional development. Although there were some successful cases, overall, the results fell short of expectations.

There are many cases of gentrification even more severe than in Korea. In the United States, when the large millennial generation entered society, living in cities became trendy. Gentrification occurred mainly in residential areas of old neighborhoods, forcing residents of rental housing to leave. London also faced serious issues. Major cities suffered from overtourism.

The current atmosphere is quite different. This is due to the impact of COVID-19. As gatherings were prohibited, cities that used to be crowded suffered the most. The sudden population decline in New York and San Francisco, which thrived in the 2010s, is part of this phenomenon. Daily life is gradually recovering, and cities are showing clear signs of recovery as well. However, history never reverses. The era of rediscovering cities has already passed and will not return.

The young generation who enjoyed the diverse tastes of cities in the 2010s have now started families and reached the busiest age at work, making it harder to visit newly opened craft beer pubs as easily as before. Those who enjoyed city explorations have already walked all the walkable places. In many developed countries, including Korea, rapid aging is reducing the number of young people seeking "hip" tastes. The gaze of those who showed interest in cities during that time is naturally turning toward nature. Reflecting this interest, natural spaces within cities, especially linear parks ideal for walking, are gaining popularity. The number of people wanting to spend time close to nature after retirement has also increased significantly. Above all, as global disasters caused by climate change increase rapidly, there is growing consensus on the vulnerabilities of urban infrastructure. This consensus is spreading awareness of carbon emission reduction and disaster prevention, which are key to climate change response policies, and is leading to a movement urging cities to improve by preparing for the realities and future of climate change.

Unlike the 2010s’ rediscovery of cities as consumer spaces, cities are now being viewed as spaces for sustainable living. It is no exaggeration to say that the 2020s, moving from early to mid-decade, are entering an era of "urban reconfiguration" with a fundamentally changed perspective.

Robert Fauzer, Former Professor at Seoul National University

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