Jung Da-hyun is a reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues in Korea, including foreign residents, education, environment and politics. Driven by a deep interest in people’s stories, she focuses on investigative and feature reporting through direct interviews and field coverage. She received the Amnesty International Korea Media Award for her “Deepfake Crisis at Schools” series. Reach her at dahyun08@koreatimes.co.kr. Always open to hearing your stories.
Seongdong District's urban regeneration project seeks coexistence
A red-brick building, representing a unique theme of stores in eastern Seoul's Seongsu-dong / Courtesty of Seongdong District Office
By Jung Da-hyun
Seongsu-dong attracts visitors showcasing distinctive red-brick buildings
An urban regeneration project is fostering coexistence and transformation in eastern Seoul's Seongdong District, attracting visitors and enhancing the convenience of residents.
Seongsu-dong has swiftly become a popular spot in the district for Korea's younger generations. In particular, visitors come for the unique stores that are exclusive to the area, along with a range of enticing pop-up stores.
The blend of old residential-style streets infused with trendy coffee shops and bars particularly captivates people's attention.
The distinctive atmosphere of Seongsu-dong's establishments is the result of an urban regeneration project initiated by the district. Rather than entirely revamping the landscape, it focused on effecting change while preserving the town's existing character.
Chong Won-o, head of Seongdong District Office, stressed that urban development doesn't hinge solely on redevelopment.
“Depending on the region's unique characteristics, areas lacking in infrastructure can be redeveloped, while areas with strong identities can thrive through urban regeneration. I believe Seongsu-dong epitomizes this hybrid strategy,” Chong said during a press tour, Oct. 26.
An old residential building in Seongsu-dong is reformed as a coffee shop. Korea Times photo by Jung Da-hyun
Seongsu-dong was selected as a focal point for urban regeneration in 2014. To address concerns about gentrification, in which existing tenants are displaced due to rising rents as new stores emerge in the wake of the project, the district implemented a series of policies starting in 2017.
The key strategy was to curtail the influx of franchises into the area, while promoting and supporting local businesses. This was based on the perspective that nurturing and maintaining the neighborhood's distinctive culture would ultimately benefit both renters and tenants in the long run.
According to the district, 75 percent of renters supported this concept and actively engaged in the agreement, seeking the coexistence of renters and tenants.
The district also incentivized businesses to decorate their buildings with red bricks, in line with the unique theme of Seongsu-dong which juxtaposes retro and modern styles. This concept drew inspiration from the iconic cityscape of Brooklyn in New York, renowned for its numerous red-bricked buildings.
As a result of these initiatives, the street’s unique character emerged, and an array of shops with original themes sprouted.
Recently, the district is not only a popular destination for young Koreans but also a vibrant hub for foreign tourists, especially from China and Japan.
A "Smart Smoking Area" is installed in front of the SM Entertainment's office in Seongdong District, eastern Seoul. / Courtesy of Seongdong District Office
A "Smart Smoking Area," in front of the local office of SM Entertainment, one of the major entertainment companies in Korea, also embodies the commitment to harmonious coexistence between smokers and non-smokers.
The issue of secondhand smoke has persisted in society, driven by an increasing number of people smoking in outdoor spaces like narrow alleys between buildings due to an increase in non-smoking areas. This has led to conflicts between smokers and non-smokers, with the latter complaining about cigarette smoke in public.
To address the displeasure, the district installed the Smart Smoking Area last November.
The Smart Smoking Area is designed as an enclosed space, ensuring that non-smokers can pass by comfortably without the concern of smelling cigarette smoke. Even when pedestrians walk right next to it, there is no detectable odor. Additionally, the interior is maintained at negative pressure, preventing smoke from escaping even when the door opens.
While enclosed smoking rooms often conjure images of smoke-filled environments, the Smart Smoking Area efficiently eliminates cigarette smoke and harmful substances through continuous circulation via air purification facilities.
This innovative design prevents smokers from carrying the smell on their clothes. The booth's interior is coated with special paint to deter nicotine and tar from adhering.
The ashtray within the area features an automatic digestion and crushing process for cigarette butts and collecting ash. This waste is then transformed into thermoplastic wood, and repurposed into eco-friendly products such as mugs and cutting boards, effectively reducing environmental harm.
Before its test installation, there was substantial opposition from neighbors, including employees of SM Entertainment, according to the district office.
However, following the trial period, requests for additional installations surged.
There are plans to install more smoking booths around Seongsu-dong and in front of the district office.