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

harmonious management
of the
Historic City Center’s unique
Natural·historical assets
Induce
gradual regeneration
By considering its various traits
Establish
a sustainable network
considering major spatial functions
Manage by different types
Categorize into 3 types to manage, depending on the 
area’s character & project type
Manage heights
Height control considering the harmony and 
preservation of the old city & the inner mountain 
& landscape
Manage historical resources
Use historical resources beyond having them as 
objects for preservation
24
Managing Seoul
Set the framework for the harmonious management of the Historic City Center ’s unique natural & historical assets, 
induce gradual regeneration by considering its various traits, and establish a sustainable network considering major 
spatial functions.
Categorize into 3 types to manage, depending on the area’s character & project type; control heights considering 
the harmony and preservation of the old city & the inner mountain & landscape; and manage historical resources as 
assets for local regeneration than having them as objects for preservation.
02_ Spatial Management Direction
03_ Spatial Management Plan

---

서울 육백년 역사와 근현대가
공존하는 중추지역으로서
서울을 대표하는 중심공간 조성
25
[Example] Area guideline | 
Around Sejongdaero
For the efficient spatial management of the Historic City Center, the city devised 7 area goals and guidelines. Areas 
were divided based on its history & culture, land use, and neighborhood use.
04_ Guidelines for Areas

---

26
Managing Seoul
Just as much as Korea’s economic success has been hailed as “The Miracle of Han River,” the Han River has been a 
symbol of modernization, and has been serving as Seoul’s largest and most valuable urban open space. However, it is 
isolated and difficult to access due to urban express roads on both sides and privately-owned apartments.
Han River’s 1st master plan based on the “2030 Seoul Plan” will serve as the highest plan and guideline 
for any Han Riverfront area developments.
5. Han Riverfront Master Plan
Significance of the Han River
To return the Han River back to the center of citizens’ lives, since 2013, Seoul has been undergoing nearly 90 rounds of 
in-depth discussions with citizens, experts, and related institutes for the last 2 years.
Process
Citizen
Urban Planner
Forum
3 times
2 times
3 times
20 times
5 times
31 times
22 times
By Citizen
Urban
Planners
M-Voting & 
survey by each 
Riverfront Area
Committee 
meetings, sector
committee 
meetings with 
city landscape 
division
Relevant 
divisions and Gu 
officials
City Planning 
Commission
City Planning 
Policy Advisory 
Group
Landscape 
experts
12 MP meetings
19 MP Advisory 
meetings
Important 
reports and 
meetings
Citizen
Survey
Han River
Citizen
Committee
consultation
Meeting with 
Gu district
Office and
relevant
divisions
Expert
Consultation
MP,
Advisory 
Group
meeting
Internal 
Discussion

---

27
Making Han River the center of citizens’ lives even after 100 years
Han River,
Seoul’s Natural & Cultural Heritage for the Future
Taking a closer look at the 4 sector goals, 1st, restore the river’s eco system, water quality, and enable eco-friendly usages.
2nd, activate the riverfront with various water-related leisure activities, restoration of historical cultural resources.
3rd, increase accessibility by green transportation, pedestrian access, and better green connection.
4th, expand opportunities to enjoy the scenery of the river, create a dynamic and diverse skyline, induce beautiful architecture.
1. Improve eco-system
2. Restore clean water
3. Environmentally friendly use
Lively Han River:
Where both nature & 
human happily coexist
Active Han River:
Where all citizens can 
visit and enjoy
Accessible Han River: 
Where anyone can easily 
access
Harmonious Han River: 
Where both nature and 
city are in harmony
4. Specialize in various
water activies
5. Restore & connect
cultural resources
6. Expand citizens’ spaces
7. Green transportation
8. Pedestrian accessibility
9. Connection with green
10. Further share Han
Riverfront view
11. Create diverse skyline
12. Promote beautiful 
building design
To make the Han River more citizen-centric even after a century, we have established 4 sectors as the following, and 
12 principles. Also, we divided the entire River into 7 areas, and 27 sub-areas, providing detailed guidelines in case 
future developments occur.
Contents
Vision
01_ Management Principles
Nature
Land use
Accessibility
Landscape
[4 sectors]
[Goals]
[12 principles]

---

28
Managing Seoul
Comprehensively materialized the 12 management principles for 7 regions, 27 areas. Also, included comprehensive 
maps with tailored management principles and guidelines for better understanding. 
02_ Area Guideline
Nanji, Gangseo
Magok, Gayang
Gangseo
~ Nanji
Mangwon, Hapeong
Seogang, Dangsan
Mapo, Yongsan
Yeouido, Noryangjin
Hapjeong
~ Dangsan
Icheon, Hannam
Heukseong, Banpo
[Examples] Area guideline | 
Dangsan area
Oksu, Seongsoo
Apgujeong
Yeouido
~ Yongsan
01_ Plan
02_ Comprehensive Plan
Jayang, Cheongdam
Yeongdong, Jamsil
Gwangjang, Pungnap
Cheongho, Amsa
Banpo
~ Hannam
Apgujeong
~ Seongsoo
Amsa
~ Gwangjang
Yeongdong·Jamsil
~ Jayang

---

Comprehensive Development Plan for Coex~Jamsil
Changdong·Sanggye New Eonomic Center
Dasi(Again) Sewoon Project
Seoul Station 7017 Project
Now in
Seoul
Strengthen Main Centers
to raise urban
competitiveness & induce balanced development.
Comprehensive Development Plan for Coex~Jamsil,
Changdong·Sanggye New Eonomic Center ⋯
1
Historical and Cultural Regeneration
using historical and natural resources
Dasi(Again) Sewoon Project, Seoul Station 7017 Project ⋯
2
Regeneration of Residential Area
that is human & place-centric
Changsin· Sungin, Seoul City Wall Village ⋯
3
Tailored Housing Supply
in preparation of
increasing 1-2 family units, and aging population.
Provision of Housing for Rent in Subway Station Areas ⋯
4
Major Projects

---

30
Now in Seoul
Location
Size 
Division
in charge
Progress 
Gangnam-gu Samsung-dong 167
~ Songpa-gu Jamsil-dong 10
720 thous.㎡
South E. Public Development Division, Urban Regeneration HQ 
2015. 1 ~ 9 : Jamsil Sports Complex Int’l bid for conceptual plan
2015. 3 ~ 12 : Pre-negotiation & review MP for land owned by the public
Comprehensive Development Plan for Coex~Jamsil
various exhibition·convention facilities such as COEX, and the 
Jamsil Sports Complex in which the ’88 Olympics was held, and 
a beautiful natural environment with the Han River & Tancheon 
Stream, and historical heritage, such as the old Bongeunsa temple.
In the ‘2030 Seoul Plan,’ 3 Main Centers were chosen to strength-
en the city’s global competitiveness – out of which this region was 
planned to be the strategic area for int’l business and MICE indus-
tries. Thus, to create the Yeongdong Region as an Int’l Exchange 
Complex, the city provided 3 directional plans.
Yeongdong Region has
Overview

---

31
Vision
Directions
1. [Business] Use land where public institutes will Move out & provide space for business
2. [Exhibition· Convention] Expand int’l exhibition, convention space In COEX, Kor. Electric, SETEC
3. [Sports] Improve functions of Jamsil Sports Complex for performance·entertainment
4. [Supporting function] Center for multi functions, such as culture, shopping, history, tourism
Create core functional space which can lead Seoul’s int’l competitiveness
01
Expand Int’l Business & MICE Infrastructure
1. Tancheon & Han River Create more open space & use Jamsil Sports Complex as a park
2. Establish various 3 dimensional Connective systems
3. Expand culture · leisure functions Where all citizens, tourists, & visitors can enjoy
Improve function & connection of the environment create attractive open space