Seoul - 3.1 Transformation of the City Prototype

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Understanding Korea Series No.4
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3) Population Changes in Hanseong 1) Transformation of the City Prototype 2) Transformation of the Urban Space


King Gojong, the 26th King of the Joseon Dynasty, proclaimed the founding of Daehanjeguk (the Greater Korean Empire) in 1897 and claimed himself the Emperor. To commemorate this new beginning he moved the main palace to Gyeongwungung (renamed to Deoksugung in 1907) and embarked on the city’s independent modernization process. Yanggwan (Westerners’ Wing) was built inside Gyeongwungung, and he established Hwangudan (a site where rites for the heavens were performed) across Gyeongwungung and reported his enthronement as the emperor to the heavens. As a result, the existing urban center with the Gyeongbokgung Palace as the center was transformed into an urban structure that connects the Gyeongbokgung Palace, Hwangudan and Namdaemun to Gyeongwungung with the latter as the center. Most of the buildings in Gyeongbokgung and Gyeongungung were destroyed or removed in early Japanese colonial rule, and a horizontal axis was formed that connected Gwanghwamun Streets, Deoksugung and Namdaemun in a direct line. As a streetcar route linking Gwanghwamun and Namdaemun was developed in 1928, the streets became even wider. Hwangudan, the symbol of the Joseon Empire, was sold as the site for Joseon Hotel (present-day Westin Chosun Hotel) in 1914. Only Hwanggungwu (Yellow Palace Shrine) remained inside the hotel.


The Japanese built a series of buildings to symbolize Japanese Colonial Rule in Korea. Japanese Government-General of Korea Building was built inside the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty, Gyeongbokgung, which was the pinnacle of the south/north axis and viewing axis (1925). Gyeongseong City Government Complex was built in front of Deoksugung, the main palace of Daehanjeguk (1925). Joseon Shinto Shrine was built on Namsan (1925). Gyeongseong Shinto Shrine (1898) and Japanese Legation Building (1910) were also built. Korea’s best financial district was constructed that began from the top of the street of Deoksugung to Namsan. As part of this district, Bonjeong (Chungmuro), Myeongchijeong (Myeong-dong), and Hwanggeumjeong (present-day Euljiro) were built below Namsan in addition to Sogongro. The symbolic spatial structure of the Joseon Dynasty was completely transformed into the main axis of colonial rule that connected Japanese Government-General of Korea Building, Gyeongseong City Government Complex and the Bank of Joseon (predecessor of the Bank of Korea).


Understanding Korea Series No.4 Seoul

Foreword · Acknowledgments 1. A City Called Seoul · 1.1 Introduction · 1.2 Seoul as the Capital and a Local City

2. The Capital of Joseon, Hanseong · 2.1 Seoul Before It Became the Capital · 2.2 The Principle Behind the Establishment of the Capital, Hanseong · 2.3 Population Changes in Hanseong

3. Modern City Gyeongseong · 3.1 Transformation of the City Prototype · 3.2 Transformation of the Urban Space · 3.3 Expansion of Gyeongseong’s Urban Area

4. The Growth of Seoul and Transformation of the Urban Space · 4.1 Population Growth and Expansion of the Urban Center · 4.2 Redevelopment of Gangbuk’s Original Urban Center · 4.3 New Development of Gangnam · 4.4 Differentiation of the Urban Space, the Way to a Polycentric City · 4.5 Megalopolitanization of Seoul Metropolitan Area: Megacity Seoul

5. Shadow of Growth and Regeneration and Healing of the City · 5.1 The Miracle on the Han River: Accomplishments and Shortcomings · 5.2 Apartment Nation and Economic Imbalance between Gangnam and Gangbuk · 5.3 Disappearance and Regeneration of the Traditional Urban Residences · 5.4 Waterways and Reviving Stream that have Disappeared · 5.5 Restoration of the Destructed Ecological Environment · 5.6 Congested Streets and Rising Environmental Pollution

6. Historical and Cultural City, Culture of Seoul · 6.1 Seoul’s Symbolic Space and the Emblem of Seoul, Haechi · 6.2 Diverse Cultural Areas and Streets · 6.3 Culture of Recreation and Past Time · 6.4 Consumer Culture of the Subway Station Vicinity Areas · 6.5 Education-oriented Culture

7. Global City Seoul’s Present · 7.1 Global City Seoul · 7.2 Policies Geared Toward a Global City

Sources · About the Author