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Industrialization and Development Woven Through Time


 Yane HUH

yane28@snu.ac.kr

Introduction

 

It is difficult to imagine a scene of tranquility or a speck of darkness in 2025 Seoul. As one of the world’s most boisterous and lively metropolises, Seoul glows night and day with diverse people, commodities, and networks. Nonetheless, how could Seoul be differently encountered if its urbanized landscapes were to be interpreted not just by space, but also through time? This section begins by questioning how time travels within Seoul’s industrialization process. Does industrialization always occur by remodeling the past, or can we observe coexistence? What particular traces from the past are left, moreover actively recalled depending on their purposes? As such, this section seeks to curate highly urbanized locations in Seoul- yet, play with the concept of time and reconsider its linearity.

1. Coexisting with the Past

                       

The following locations all consciously preserve past landscapes of Seoul within densely urbanized areas. Even with remarkable and rapid progress, the aura of the past may not always fade away in the city, adding a contrasting but sentimental taste toward tradition, history, and culture.

1-1. Namdaemun Market 


The Namdaemun Market originates from the Joseon Dynasty, representing over 600 years of commerce and exchange. Currently, it lies in the middle of the Jung-gu financial district. At the same time, it is packed with people searching for vintage items or even just a brisk Korean dish. Not only does the market offer a plentiful choice of daily essentials, groceries, and snacks, but it also captures the revitalizing spirit of small business owners who have lived throughout colonialism, war, and gentrification.


For more information:

https://www.agoda.com/travel-guides/south-korea/seoul/namdaemun-market-guide-to-seouls-oldest-biggest-market/.

Namdaemun Market

source: Seoul Tourism Organization

Namdaemun Market

source: Seoul Tourism Organization

1-2. Hanyangdoseong (Seoul City Wall) - Naksan Mountain Trail 


Join a 1-hour walk from Hyehwamun Gate to Heunginjimun Gate following the Naksan trail of Hanyangdoseong, which was built as stone walls to protect Seoul’s old name, ‘Hanyang.’ Sceneries from the 1392 Joseon Dynasty, shanty town villages, and the present-day company buildings all merge on the boundary of these walls. Eventually, the trail leads to DDP, a cultural complex that presents novel exhibitions on contemporary design, fashion, and media art.


For more information:

https://english.visitseoul.net/editorspicks/SeoulCityWallHikingTrail/ENNpxjh2o.

https://ddp.or.kr/?menuno=340.



Naksan Mountain Trail

source: Seoul Tourism Organization

DDP

source: Seoul Tourism Organization

1-3. Seoul Hall of Urbanism & Architecture


Located next to the Seoul Metropolitan Council, the Seoul Hall of Urbanism and Architecture provides an overview of Seoul’s urban planning and development. Starting from brochures on city integration projects to government housing policies, it archives important blueprints and records on architectural progress. Participatory exhibitions also strive to build and imagine a more communicative future in Seoul.


For more information: https://sca.seoul.go.kr/seoulhour/site/urbanArch/brochure.

Seoul Hall of Urbanism & Architecture 

source: https://vmspace.com/project/project_view.html?base_seq=NjE1.

2. Negotiating Temporal Meaning 


These places illuminate how materials, images, or impressions of the past can permeate during urbanization. Altered meanings and purposes of spaces simultaneously keep alive and deconstruct previous forms, specifically as a complex of cosmopolitanism and nostalgia.

2-1. Ikseondong Hanok Street 


Ikseondong displays vivid, graceful characteristics of the Korean traditional house, Hanok. However, once wandering through the narrow alleys between them, Ikseondong appears to be filled with modern cafés, restaurants, and boutiques that attract younger generations.

Ikseondong Hanok Street

Ikseondong Hanok Inside

Huamdong & Haebangchon Shinheung Market

2-2. Huamdong & Haebangchon Shinheung Market


Also a Japanese residence area during colonization, Haebangchon became home to war refugees after liberation in 1945. Today, the home-like atmosphere that the Shinheung Market provided for the villagers changed into a retro space for cuisines, shops, and drama filming.

Huamdong & Haebangchon Shinheung Market

2-3. Euljiro


Euljiro used to be the center of publication, hardware, and textiles in late 20th-century Seoul. However, along with further urban development, older businesses are still struggling between demolition and preservation. The many restaurants and bars hidden in every nook and cranny of long-standing buildings both modernize and carry on the past daily lives of Seoul citizens. 


For more information: https://www.cktravels.com/things-to-do-euljiro-seoul/.

Euljiro

Euljiro

2-4. Munrae 


Similiar to Euljiro, Munrae is also a site where its scenery has changed along with the flow of time. As industrialization advanced, younger artists who searched for cheap rent filled in older spots that used to be iron or textile factories. Recently, the space has also attracted café and restaurant owners that blend into the old and new. 

source: Seoul Tourism Organization

3. Transforming Urban Achievements


The speed and intensity of industrialization do not seamlessly apply to every corner and moment of the city. As a result, creative renovations of city architecture occur along with the motivation for a more sustainable future. The following locations highlight how even traces of industrialization can be differently enlivened, specifically in the form of nature and art. 

3-1. Oil Tank Culture Park


The Oil Tank Culture Park consists of six oil tanks that used to be restricted areas during the 1970s industrialization period. Each of the tanks became open to the public in 2017 as a communal space for performances and exhibitions. Some previous events include movement workshops, film festivals, and traditional music concerts.


For more information:

https://www.instagram.com/culturetank/.

https://www.koreatodo.com/oil-tank-culture-park.

Oil Tank Culture Park

source: https://www.ohseoul.org/2019/programs/%EB%AC%B8%ED%99%94%EB%B9%84%EC%B6%95%EA%B8%B0%EC%A7%80/event/154, https://www.instagram.com/culturetank/.

3-2. Seoullo 7017 & Cultural Station Seoul 284 


Seoullo 7017 is a walkway that connects central districts surrounding Seoul Station. It consists of gardens, cafés, and an abandoned parking lot called ‘Docking Seoul’ transformed into a space for artistic display. While the Seoul Station overpass was originally a prominent symbol of economic growth and power, Seoullo 7017 provides a green space to improve the city landscape. Cultural Station Seoul 284 is at the end of Seoullo 7017, heading to Seoul Station. As the older form of Seoul Station, it now holds various exhibitions related to religion, architecture, language, and media.


For more information: 

https://youtu.be/VrLQfxeuQfI?si=gV8k6qgb1lH0QY-J.

https://www.seoul284.org/eng.

Seoullo 7017 & Cultural Station Seoul 284

source: https://www.architectural-review.com/buildings/seoullo-performance-seoullo-7017-skygarden-seoul-south-korea-by-mvrdv, https://economist.co.kr/article/view/ecn202211050044, https://sosicweekly.com/arch-no-51.