In July, the third Na-Neoul gathering was held. Participants read and discussed Yu Hyun-joon’s book “What Does a City Live On?” Among the various topics in the book, the section on smart cities and urban regeneration particularly drew interest and inspired participants to learn more.
With curiosity about cutting-edge urban technology and sustainable city design, the group visited Euljiro and Gwanghwamun for a two-day summer field trip. The theme of the trip was “Smart Cities and Urban Regeneration.”
The itinerary included visiting Smart Seoul Exhibition Hall, Seoul Urban Solutions Agency (SUSA), and Seoul Urban Regeneration Center, where participants learned about Seoul’s smart city system and overall urban regeneration projects. Though they had often heard the term smart city, this was their first opportunity to see how such systems are actually implemented.
Through on-site explanations and field tours, participants observed urban regeneration efforts around Euljiro and reflected on how digital systems, city infrastructure, and residents coexist in a shared urban environment. They also walked through Gyeongui Line Forest Park, where they could physically experience the transformation of an old railway into a communal urban space, realizing how such spaces can bring new life to the city.
The program concluded with a shared meal and conversation, during which participants exchanged reflections on how cities evolve and how people can live in harmony within them. Despite the summer heat, it was a deeply engaging and memorable experience.