SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
4 April 2018 9 April 2018
첸애잉 Chan Ai Ying Surprised by how the geographical characteristic affects the architecture especially residential area. Interesting alleys make the walking in the city an enjoyable experience
대한민국 South Korea A country has no extensive plains. Its lowlands covered approximately 30% of the area of South Korea, with the rest uplands and mountains. This geographical characteristic of South Korea makes construction following terrain, thus resulting in lots of narrow alley and smaller plinth of buildings.
경복궁 Gyeongbokgung
용산구 Yongsan District First experience of the alleys which is in front of the homestay. Cars only can access up to secondary road and pedestrian go through alleys to get to the residential area which shops are all next to main raod or secondary road
Besides the well-developed public transportation system, the subway; the design of road makes up the reason of so many Koreans walk. Most of the time car doesn’t reach at doorstep in Korea. Walking through alleys is the only way to reach your house.
The surprises are, you never expect active alleys as you walking along the main road until you stand in front of the alleys, like hidden treasures.
삼청동 Samcheong-dong An Area combining tourist spots, commercial activities and residential area.But yet you can freely walk around going through alleys, with companions of traditional buildings.
As a norm, alleys are also for services and utilities
Quite often we will be walking on alley in between main road and retaining wall
통인시장
Tongin Traditional Market An interesting alley in which it is modified as a market, selling foods, snacks and traditional industries
청계천 Cheonggyecheon Being as world’s greatest and most expensive river restoration project. It was only dry waterway hidden by old elevated highway until restoration in 2005. The river plays as a tourist attraction and place for chill for citizens with 10km long stream alley.
2 stretch of alleys like this alongsides the stream
countless alleys in terms of stairs and ramps leading down to the stream
동대문디자인플라자 Dongdaemun Design Plaza Designed by late Zaha Hadid, makes use of alleys to direct pedestrian around Plaza, blurring the boundary allows the flow of public into the building
이화여자대학교 Ewha Womans University The “sport strip” like an alley in larger scale. Alley being as important linkage between buildings, people. The intention of the sport strip is to strengthen relationship to the greater campus and the city of Shinchon
여의도공원 Yeouido Park Alleys in Yeouido sandwiched by rows of Cherry Tree.Walkability is greatly increase by the rows of Cherry Tree as shade from sun or as a scenery for photography and portrait
명동 Myeong-dong It is a well-known pedestrianized shopping area with network of big or small alleys. Strategy of pedestrianizing the area boosts the sales of the shops and makes Myeong-Dong as a “must-visit” tourist attraction in Seoul for beauty products.
