Renewing and Redeveloping History

Korea’s extraordinary post-war economic boom is known as the “Miracle on the Hangang River.” The foundation of the miraculous economic growth was built on the sweat of industry workers and the modern industrial heritage they created, such as villages, warehouses, factories and mines. However, modern industrial heritage was pushed aside due to the rapid growth of the city, the breathtaking development of science and technology, and the environmental pollution crisis. 

Revived through urban renewal, modern industrial heritage breathed new life into old communities by rediscovering the pride of the past and possibilities of the future by fusing culture, arts and nature. Now you can explore the vibrant neighborhoods and streets of Korea’s urban renewal sites, where new stories were woven in tales of the past. Experience sustainable living, appreciating contemporary culture and arts intertwined with traces of the past.

Abandoned Factories & Other Facilities

Many industrial facilities diligently fulfilling their roles in the country°Øs industrial development were forced to shutdown due to changes in the industrial structure. After years of being abandoned and forgotten, such industrial heritage were revived and repurposed through urban renewal projects. Visitors can see the harmonious union of culture, arts and history blossoming upon traces of the past.

Coal mines and quarries gave their all to build and operate industrial facilities. However changing times caused a decline in profitability and eventually brought an end to mining and quarrying. As miners left looking for other jobs, the areas also died out. The long silence in these mines was broken by bringing in arts and culture and transforming them into beautiful and pleasant facilities.

Storage Facilities Modern industry required large-scale storage facilities at each transportation hub, and the huge warehouses built throughout the region played a major role in logistics and distribution. However, due to changes in the logistics system, the old warehouses were no longer needed. The wide and high spaces that could store almost anything are now filled with arts and culture. Through urban renewal, the old storage facilities can now fill our mind and soul with joy and laughter.

Streets & Alleys Prosperity, decline and new opportunities coexist in the streets and alleys where life and culture of the city flow. Urban renewal can make people smile by summoning the prosperous past and healing painful memories by layering memories on top of streets and alleys that connect regions to regions, and people to people. Today, we can walk these streets and alleys and remember the past while preparing for the future.

Villages & Towns Cozy villages where people sincerely cared for one another and shared their joys and sorrows. Villages that chose urban renewal over reconstruction to improve the aged environment. Visitors can walk the streets and alleys of these villages and  towns to see how the old, obsolete and inconvenient were recycled and upcycled.

Nature & Ecology Small island villages that sent out their young people to the cities, water purification plants that supplied clean water to cities, and landfills that received all kinds of waste from cities. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, these places were forgotten and erased from our memories. But through urban renewal they were reborn as sustainable ecological tourist attractions and ecological experience centers.