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

Urban Planning System
Governance and Support System
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Recovery of
Seoul’s identity
Improvement of
citizens’ quality
of life
Balanced
regional
development
Construction of
sustainable city
Enhancement of
city’s
competitiveness
Urban Management
Plan & Projects
Zoning
Detailed District Plan
Neighborhood Plan
Historic City Center
Master Plan
Han Riverfront 
Master Plan
Citizen -
-
Gu
Expert
participation
Seoul Urban Planning Charter · Seoul Plan
Preventive &
comprehensive
platform
Strategic planningfor 
large-scale usable land
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Sophisticated
regional plan
Governance
Decision making system
Urban Planning-related Commissions
Collaborative system
Various divisions
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City Future Museum
City Academy
Communal Space
Urban planning portal
Real estate info system
Homepage, SNS, etc.
Urban regeneration
& land resource
management
1
2
4
3
Principles and standards
ON-LINE
OFF-LINE

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13
Urban Policy & Planning
Principles & Standards
Sophisticated Planning
City Planning Charter | Seoul Plan
Neighborhood | Historic City Center | Han River
Managing
Seoul

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Enactment
Committee
(30members)
Discussion and
determination of
the enactment
direction
Appointment
ceremony,
workshops, panel 
discussion,
conferences, etc.
Experts (21),
Members of the Seoul 
Metropolitan Council 
(3), Civic society (6)
Open when necessary
Participation in
overall enactment
process of the charter
Participation from the 
beginning of the forum, 
Simultaneously
proceeded with Citizen 
Participant discussion 
Simultaneously
proceeded with Citizen 
Participant discussion 
Prepare
discussion board 
on city homepage & 
receive feedback
100 representatives 
selected with various 
backgrounds, according 
to census data
1 student from each 
Gu-district,
recommended by his/
her principal
Those who received
certificates from Seoul’s 
Citizen Academy of City 
Planning (Seoul Citizen 
Urban Planner)
Any Citizens (online)
Discussion of the 
content of the charter 
from the perspective 
of youth
Shared the process of 
discussion & received 
feedback
Support for
discussions among
participants of civic 
sector and future
generation
Participants of
the Next Generation
(20 people)
Citizen Participants
(100 people)
Youth Supporters
(25 people)
Citizens
Function
Operation
Consist of
14
Managing Seoul
Seoul prepared its Urban Planning Charter for the next 100 years as a foundation for its
urban planning administration, providing long-term and consistent direction.
1. Seoul Urban Planning Charter
01_ Procedure
02_ Participants
Process
Incorporating its sustainable 100 year urban planning philosophy, the Charter was completed with 170 representative 
citizens of Seoul.

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15
The Charter of 10 articles will serve as Seoul’s Urban Planning Charter,
providing consistent & timeless principles.
Seoul Urban Planning Charter
We will preserve the ecological environments and scenery that are unique to Seoul. In particular, we will 
protect and restore the four inner mountains, located within the boundaries of the old capital, and the four 
outer mountains, which are outside the boundaries of the old capital, the Hangang (River), and all of Seoul’s 
streams in order to establish and strengthen Seoul’s environmental identity and symbolism and create a 
healthy city where citizens have plenty of opportunities to experience nature in their daily lives.
Urban
Environmental
Preservation
Seoul’s historical and cultural heritage is a precious treasure of the Republic of Korea. Therefore, we will 
preserve this heritage and pass it down to future generations. Furthermore, we will make creative use of 
this city’s tangible and intangible historical and cultural heritage in order to enrich the cultural lives of Seoul 
citizens and contribute to urban rejuvenation efforts.
Historical
and Cultural
Preservation
By planning an urban spatial structure where residences and work areas are kept in close proximity, we will 
reduce citizens’ commute costs and promote balanced development among the various regions of Seoul. 
Also, we will build complexes of commerical and cultural facilities in the areas near subway stations so as to 
create convenient, pedestrian-centered urban spaces.
Convenient
Living
We will guarantee the freedom of movement of all citizens and develop Seoul’s roads and transportation 
system with a focus on public transportation to reduce environmental pollution and traffic congestion. We 
will make it easier for citizens to walk, ride bicycles, and use other eco-friendly means of transportation 
by promoting a street environment that prioritizes the safety and comfort of pedestrians above those of 
drivers.
Eco-friendly
Mass
Transportation
Through urban planning, we will create a city that is protected from disasters, conforms to the natural to-
pography, and preserves the water cycle. We will establish a risk management system that prevents various 
types of disasters, minimizes damage in the event of a disaster, and quickly restores the environment to its 
original state. We will create a vibrant, prosperous urban environment where citizens can live in safety from 
crime.
Safe
Homes
We will ensure that all development activities, such as construction projects, are carried out in consideration 
of the given conditions of the natural environment and pursue sustainable development through various 
means, including the use of new and renewable energy and reductions in energy consumption. In particular, 
public buildings and facilities shall spearhead city-wide energy conservation efforts.
Energy
Conservation
The harmony between Seoul’s Architecture, facilities, and structures and the city’s natural environment and 
historic sites will be maintained. We will even pursue such harmony with architecture in the areas surround-
ing Seoul. Breaking away from conformity, we will ensure that urban and living environments in different 
regions of the city exhibit the diversity and individuality of those regions by highhlighting their unique 
characteristics.
Harmonious
Scenery
We will preserve and protect the uniqueness of each region in Seoul as well as the history and stories of 
each community, thereby maintaining spatial diversity. By promoting the value of the colorful lives of Seoul 
citizens and historically significant spaces, we will contribute to environmental maintenance and urban 
regeneration efforts while promoting specialized local development.
Spatial
Uniqueness
and Diversity
All citizens will coluntarily and democratically participate in the process of implementing urban planning 
policies, ensuring that diverse interests are reflected. To facilitate this participation and help invigorate local 
communities, we will establish a cooperative system that promotes constant communication between local 
residents and public administrative organizations.
Citizen