Trainees from overseas visit redevelopment site for field study hosted by University of Seoul

Trainees from 11 countries pose during a site visit to a housing redevelopment project near Hansung University Station in Seoul, June 5, organized by the International School of Urban Sciences at the University of Seoul. Courtesy of University of Seoul

Trainees from 11 countries visited a housing redevelopment project site near Hansung University Station in Seoul on June 5, as part of a field study organized by the International School of Urban Sciences at the University of Seoul.

The university said Wednesday that the site visit was conducted under the Master’s Program in Urban Development Smart Infrastructure Policy (MUDSIP).

MUDSIP is a long-term invited master’s degree training program supported by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the International Contractors Association of Korea.

The on-site program was organized for the eighth cohort of MUDSIP trainees, who are expected to lead urban and infrastructure development in their respective countries.

The university said the trainees had the opportunity to observe firsthand Korea’s innovative urban regeneration and housing redevelopment models, which have helped address housing challenges caused by rapid urbanization.

They also exchanged views with field professionals on the implementation processes and technical aspects of urban renewal and redevelopment projects.

The university noted that the field study drew significant interest, as it was attended by government officials from 11 countries, including Indonesia, Colombia and Uzbekistan, reflecting a wide range of regional backgrounds.

The trainees, many of whom came from countries facing urban deterioration due to rapid population influx, focused on Korea’s advanced redevelopment technologies and project management expertise for transforming aging urban areas into modern and sustainable residential spaces.

During the visit, field experts explained the project implementation process and advanced construction technologies to the trainees, highlighting the excellence of Korea’s urban redevelopment projects.

Trainees from 11 countries visit an apartment under construction at a housing redevelopment project site near Hansung University Station in Seoul, June 5. The visit was organized by the International School of Urban Sciences at the University of Seoul. Courtesy of University of Seoul

The university expects the field study to serve as an opportunity to promote Korea’s construction technologies and engineering capabilities to international trainees as well as expand global cooperation between Korea and partner countries in developing future urban strategies.

“I was deeply impressed by Korea’s well-organized urban renewal system, which goes beyond simple construction by revitalizing the functions of existing urban areas while integrating smart infrastructure,” a university official quoted one trainee as saying.

“I gained valuable insights that can be directly applied to the development of policies aimed at improving urban residential environments in my country.”

The site visit was supported and guided by TOPEC Engineering, one of Korea’s leading construction engineering companies. The firm specializes in architectural design, construction management and supervision. It has also carried out various projects in overseas markets.

Through the MUDSIP program, the International School of Urban Sciences at the University of Seoul has invited government officials from various countries each year to share Korea’s urban development experiences and smart infrastructure policies.