Capital of South Korea, Seoul History of Seoul’s Growth

1950
1970
1960
1980
Enduring the Japanese
Occupation and the Korean 
War, Seoul’s identity & form 
were gravely damaged
After the war, the city
rapidly carried out
Post-War restoration & 
development
Due to the excessive 
concentration in the city 
center, the city focused on 
dispersing the city’s core 
functions & population to 
the outskirts of the city
In preparation for int’l 
events, the city focused on 
its City beautiful movement,
improving the Han Riverfront, 
redeveloping hillsides & 
dilapidated areas
Korea’s first modern urban 
planning legislation 

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09
Gwanghwamun Square
(2009)
Seoul Plaza 
(2004)
Gongpyeong Area of the 
Urban Environment
Distribution of New Town project
areas and promotion area of
Balanced Regional Development
1990
2000
2010
Now
To systematically redevelop 
the aging town area, the 
city pursued large scale 
renewal projects,
“New Towns”
Simultaneously, the urban 
management paradigm 
has shifted towards 
placing more emphasis on 
creating environmental 
and pedestrian-oriented 
spaces
As the value of history & 
culture is re-illuminated,
Seoul is now pursuing 
urban planning tailored 
to each area’s special 
characteristics
Location : 5-1, Gongpyeong-dong, Jongno-gu
Area : 10,461.9㎡
In order to preserve historic
remains excavated in the region,
a representative historic resources
preservation place will be built at the 
center of the city in a form of a museum

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