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| An aerial photo of Namsangol Hanok Village in downtown Seoul / Korea Times file photo |
By Lee Hae-rin
Seoul will build 10 new hanok villages within the next 10 years, increasing the nation's attractive heritage architecture for the pleasure of the city's visitors and residents.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government unveiled its new master plan to manage and develop Korean traditional architecture under the title "Seoul Hanok Recreation 4.0," at a press conference held in City Hall.
The locations of the hanok villages to be built are yet to be decided. But they will be mainly in green belts or development restriction zones, according to the city's mayor.
To this end, the city will receive proposals from district offices to build new hanok villages with Seoul Housing & Communities Corp., the city's public corporation in charge of urban development.
Public interest facilities such as sanatoriums, facilities for the elderly and art galleries will be eligible for building subsidies.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government also plans to ease regulations and guidelines on hanok development aiming to add variety and comfort into the modern hanok, according to Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon.
The capital's previous hanok policies defined the traditional architecture with a primary focus on preservation. The adverse effects of this were that few cases were subsidized, the mayor added.
This is the city's fourth hanok management master plan. Since establishing Bukchon Hanok Village in 2001 in northern Jongno District as part of the first plan, the city government has continued fine-tuning its hanok development policy.
Plan 2.0 in 2008 focused on preservation and promotion. In 2015, plan 3.0 aimed to develop living conditions to make the villages more inhabitable.
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| Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon presents the city's fourth hanok management master plan during a press conference at City Hall, Tuesday. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government |
The city seeks to create variety in hanok by expanding its definition and easing regulations on construction and subsidies.
It has relaxed its architectural standards on hanok construction and design and allowed the use of modern materials.
At the same time, hanok construction proposals that follow architectural heritage characteristics will be able to receive a maximum subsidy of 20 percent for construction.
Seoul will also create a global lounge in Bukchon Hanok Village and nearby Seochon to attract more foreign visitors.
The global lounge will provide exhibitions and experience programs centered on Korean heritage and cultural practices, such as tea ceremonies, pottery, furniture, lighting and craftwork.
Foreign embassies and cultural centers in Korea and foreign companies will be able to rent hanok spaces for events and experience the country's unique architectural heritage and domesticity for themselves.
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