Mayor Byungsoo Kim Paves the Way for 'Londonization of Gimpo' with Networks and Success Strategies

Embassy of the Republic of Korea in London, British Council, HawkinsBrown, and More
Visits to Core Institutions of London’s Urban Regeneration
Mayor Byungsoo Kim: "I Will Take Initiative With a Beginner’s Mindset, Regardless of Timing"

Byungsoo Kim, Mayor of Gimpo, has identified the core secrets behind London’s globally recognized urban regeneration and established a practical network as Gimpo prepares to introduce comprehensive urban regeneration and nighttime culture policies.

Mayor Byungsoo Kim is visiting Soho Street, a representative cultural and artistic district in London, to examine the secrets and characteristics of successful urban regeneration. Provided by Gimpo City

With the development of the Hangang 2 Compact City and the upcoming urban regeneration of Gimpo’s original downtown, Gimpo is designing its urban landscape to a world-class standard and laying the foundation for a new local economy through nighttime policies.

The Gimpo City delegation, consisting of 18 members including city officials and council members, visited key institutions in London on November 13. They met with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in London, a key gateway for exchange and the foundation for London’s successful urban regeneration and nighttime policies, as well as the British Council, which led the regeneration of the East Bank area. On November 14, the delegation visited Hawkins\Brown Architects, a key player in London’s urban regeneration, and continued tailored discussions at core institutions to swiftly develop Gimpo’s urban regeneration and nighttime policy strategies.

In particular, considering that it is usually difficult for working-level officials from local governments to access and discuss matters with the embassy, Mayor Byungsoo Kim, who has established a London network as Vice President of the Association of Mayors of Major Korean Cities, led the Gimpo delegation to the embassy. This opened a practical policy discussion table and provided an opportunity to analyze the key secrets of London’s urban regeneration and nighttime policies.

During the embassy meeting, a wide range of topics were explained, from the overall framework to detailed elements. These included the fundamentals of urban planning based on an understanding of the UK’s political and economic situation, a comparison of London’s urban regeneration past and present, the goals and direction of London’s regeneration, the background and scope of nighttime policies and their practical impact, the current status of nighttime operation of public facilities, and policy cooperation and coordination. Through the subsequent Q&A, the delegation also gained insights on how to leverage London’s experience to address Gimpo’s unique circumstances and resolve potential conflicts.

Kim Byungsoo, Mayor, listening to officials' explanations inside the Elizabeth Line subway. Provided by Gimpo City

The Gimpo delegation inquired about “essential requirements for a successful urban regeneration model in the post-pandemic era.” The embassy responded, “There has been a shift in perception, and rather than focusing on central areas, multiple small-scale urban regeneration models are underway. After major events, it is important to establish and implement advance plans for continuous management and maintenance, rather than leaving facilities neglected.”

The delegation also visited the British Council, a quasi-governmental organization established under the royal charter and active in over 100 countries worldwide. As a leading institution in the regeneration of the East Bank area, the British Council, which relocated its headquarters to East Bank following the confirmation of the London Olympics, has continuously collaborated with University College London, BBC Studios, and others that also relocated for urban regeneration. The delegation listened to strategies that transformed East Bank into a region with international competitiveness and directly observed the tangible results.

At Hawkins\Brown, one of the UK’s most renowned architectural design studios responsible for major projects such as the design of the “2012 London Olympic Broadcast Centre,” the country’s largest passive house development, and the design and expansion of transport hubs in London, discussions were even more practical and site-specific. Topics included considerations in designing subway lines and stations, secrets to conducting large-scale construction in urban centers quickly and with minimal disruption to citizens, and key principles to prioritize in urban regeneration and nighttime city policy projects. Notably, Hawkins\Brown, having previously visited Gimpo, expressed interest in providing consulting for the regeneration of Gimpo’s original downtown and a willingness to maintain ongoing communication.

Mayor Kim Byungsoo and the delegation listening to an explanation from a British Council official. Provided by Gimpo City

Mayor Byungsoo Kim stated, “What Gimpo needs now, as it faces a second leap forward through projects like Hangang 2 Compact City and the regeneration of the original downtown, is the establishment of concrete measures to secure external competitiveness. We must continuously seek and attempt various approaches to drive Gimpo’s development from all angles. I will actively take initiative with a beginner’s mindset, regardless of timing, to strengthen Gimpo’s competitiveness.”

Meanwhile, the Gimpo delegation plans to thoroughly conduct on-site analysis and seek expert advice to apply the core secrets of London’s urban regeneration and nighttime policies, identified through institutional meetings, to the regeneration and nighttime landscape projects in Gimpo’s old downtown and along the Han River.

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