Invitation to the exhibition opening and podium discussion

Als Seoul im 14. Jahrhundert zur Hauptstadt der Chosun Dynastie ernannt wurde, spiegelte das Stadtbild das ethische Grundverständnis zwischen Mensch und Natur wieder. Heute sucht Seoul nach einer dezidierten Balance zwischen Rekonstruktion und Erneuerung. Um dieses Ziel zu erreichen setzte sich die Stadt drei wesentliche Ziele: die Wiederbelebung der Geschichte, die Wiederherstellung der Natur und die Verbesserung der Lebensqualität der Bevölkerung. Die Ausstellung präsentiert sieben aktuelle Projekte aus Seoul, wie z.B. die wissenschaftliche Konservierung der alten Stadtmauer mit kreativen Interventionen, die Maßnahmen zur Erhaltung des Dorfes Baeksa, sowie die Entwicklung des Yongsan Parks. Die in der Ausstellung gezeigten Projekte demonstrieren Seouls kontinuierliche Reflektion über die Werte einer Stadt.

When Seoul was established as the capital of the Chosun dynasty in the 14th century, Seoul’s cityscape reflected an ethical understanding between humans and nature. Today, Seoul is seeking a dedicated balance between restoration and change. Therefore the city determined three key objectives: revival of history, restoration of nature, and renewal of people’s lives. The exhibition shows seven different ongoing projects in Seoul so as the scientific conservation and creative intervention on the city wall, the project for the Baeksa village residential area preservation and the Yongsan Park development. The projects on display demonstrate Seoul´s constant reflection on the city’s values.

Today, Seoul is attempting to restore the lost originality with a new urban landscape reflecting a new set of values. In this modern era, Seoul realized the importance to reestablish its identity with realistic and social intentions. To accomplish this goal, the city determined three key objectives: revival of history, restoration of nature, and renewal of people’s lives. 

The Seoul Architecture Proclamation announced last year is based upon such sentiments for restoration. The Proclamation states that all architecture is owned by the public, explains that the city and architecture are inseparable, emphasizes preservation, and reiterates that the city and architecture are essential to sustain our lives.

The exhibition shows seven different ongoing projects in Seoul that demonstrate the new approach to the urban fabric of the city, that are: the Scientific Conservation and Creative Intervention on Seoul City Wall, the project for the Baeksa Village Residential Area Preservation, the Sewoon Mega Complex, Projects for the Social Sustainablilty of New village Gija – Chon, Yongsan Park development, the Mapo Oil Depot and the Community Building in Seoul.

Seoul is not a metropolis striving to develop and expand but a meta-city seeking a dedicated balance between restoration and change. In a meta-city, all individuals are valued equally and acknowledge the differences among them. The various relationships in a meta-city are not linear or hierarchical but variegated and intricate. A number of restorative public spaces serve to revitalize the individual health and the collective identities. The present and the past coexist and the city functions to both reminisce the past and plan for the future. Also, Seoul will constantly reflect on the city’s values and uphold the dignity of the people.

A catalogue will be published.

Speaking at the opening

  • Dr. h.c. Kristin Feireiss, Aedes Berlin
  • Jung Hyo Sung, Deputy Mayor for Administrative Affairs, Seoul 
  • Yun Jong Seok, Minister Counsellor / Head of Press and Culture Department, Embassy of the Republic of Korea 
  • Seung H-Sang, City Architect, Seoul


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