Kyonggi University

On the ‘Bridge of Resilience’, 2023
Preamble
Let the Nature be back to us!
In the year 1923, after WWI, homocentric idea dominated the world and people started to prioritize technology over nature, which left the nature vulnerable.
In the year 2023, the advance of technology allows us to develop the Open AI and overcome COVID-19 but the globe is suffering with the abnormal climate change at the same time.
In the year 2123, what kind of future are we expecting? If we want to leave behind more legacy than the devastated ecosystems and an A.I dominated dystopia to our descendants, now is the time to start planning for more sustainable future for both human and the nature.
Design Goals
Recovering the Ecosystem of Han River
Seoul had been lasting more than thousands of years in harmony with the nature. However, over the past 100 years, the city’s environment has been severely damaged due to the urbanization and industrialization. How can we make Seoul more sustainable for the next 100 years?
Seoul is already highly-densed and overpopulated megacity. Instead of building another habitat on the Han River, we suggest to design a ‘Bridge of Resilience’ which grows with nature and where we can restore and harmonize with the values of the Ecosystem.
Design Principles
Minimizing the environmental burdens of Han River.
We aim to restore the values of nature around the Han River by minimizing the environmental barriers and preserving the three key elements of the Ecosystem: Earth, Wind, and Water.
Earth: Co-Existence Between Nature & Human.
Connecting the Fragmented Surrounding Mountains: Eco-bridge.
Recovering the Endangered Han River Ecosystems: Eco-bridge and Link Tree.
Protecting The Underwater Ecosystem by Minimizing the Structures: Link Tree.
Water: Refuge from Digital Fatigue and Return to Analogue Life.
Providing Facility Layout Parallel to Han River: Linear Layout.
Providing Temporary Stay for Healing and Refresh: Hotel, Sports Complex.
Providing Aquatic Leisure Facility: Marina & Cruise, Harbor Bath.
Wind: Freeing the Path of The Wind.
Providing A.I Traffic Hub: UAM, Sky-tram, PMV.
Generating a Renewable Energy: Small Windmill Under the Bridge.
Minimizing Bridge Structures to Reduce Burdens to Water and Wind Path.
Re place: The Lay of New Land
From the past to the present, the flow of land has shaped the size and character of the urban tissue. Today, public spaces such as green areas created by the flow of land are increasingly personalized by the intervention of urban tissue. To solve this problem, the project organises the topography (the relationship between urban organization and natural topography) to connect Seoul's green axis while expanding the city's public space. The design began by connecting the flow of huge land and green space that runs south and north of Seoul. On the Han River, where this flow stopped, a public board was created that reflected the narrow and high land flow of Dongjak-gu and the low and wide land flow of Yongsan-gu. In the current edition of Dongjak-gu and Yongsan-gu, the urban tissue and public spaces are vertically separated. The project allows a new contact between the urban tissue and the publicity. This method of composition shows the possibility that urban tissue and public spaces can coexist. The public plate follows the flow of Seoul's green axis, but it is newly created and expanded according to the needs of the times and forms a new land flow on the Han River. It also penetrates the city beyond the Han River and connects public spaces as dots in overcrowded cities. This expansion of the public plate allows citizens to use the Han River actively. It transforms former ground railways that disconnect green and public spaces into major public spaces in the city.
The new plate created by the existing land flow shows a scene in the future city of Seoul, which is the centre of the green axis that runs through Seoul and has equal functions and public spaces. There is hope with the project of a future Seoul where public space is respected, with green areas open to everyone unconditionally throughout the city.
Bri-Seoul-dge. work-live-play
For better management, Seoul divides its districts based on shared characteristics, causing fatigue due to purpose-based travel times. The issues are categorised as 'working, living, playing.' A novel mobile housing module is proposed to integrate housing types, forming an expandable honeycomb arrangement with central open spaces for drones and the community. Smart farms and business complexes are envisioned, integrating data collection, agriculture, offices, and education spaces. A leisure space on Nodeul Island between 'work' and 'life' is proposed, revitalising the area with water-friendly programs like camping, botanical gardens, swimming pools, and aquariums. This project creates a compact Seoul that combines work-live-play flows linked by a pedestrian bridge for citizen experiences.
Patchwork? Patchwalk!
Patchwalk is a pedestrian-oriented bridge in Seoul that connects isolated green spaces, akin to patchwork fabric pieces. The project addresses accessibility challenges caused by infrastructure like Ichon Station and Gangbyeon Expressway. An AIR WALK links Yongsan Park and Ichon Hangang Park, fostering community by removing residential complex barriers.
GREEN WALK rectifies a divided park, creating new green areas on the same level as residential complexes and improving accessibility by moving the road underground for pedestrians. WATER WALK introduces WATER ISLAND, a water-centric exhibition space within a multi-layered bridge, enhancing visitor experiences. SKY WALK, featuring SKY ISLAND and PM bridge, resolves site disparities, utilising varied floor levels for workshops, exhibitions, and cultural events. This innovative approach interweaves urban connectivity and natural elements, transforming Seoul's landscapes.
Into the wave, make a surge
Seoul is the capital and largest city of South Korea, and is an icon of Korea's high growth rate. However, behind the rapid growth, there are social problems such as personalization and communication disconnection. We saw that becoming a city where transportation, humanities, and nature coexist is the vision that Seoul should have. ‘Into the wave, make a surge’ is a space where active cultural exchanges take place by becoming a symbiotic community that realizes its vision. Major spots located in the broad range (Hangang River, Hangang Bridge, Yongsan and Dongjak-gu) were connected by several circles. The spots has different characteristics ; futuristic, historical landmarks, and transportation nodes. The rings that connect them become bridges, high lines, and cultural venues, bringing together different personalities to create greater synergy. We hope that disconnected individuals will communicate and be connected in this place, also Seoul become healthy future social cities.