Seoul 100-year plan: From typological to topological urban identity
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This study examines the Seoul 100-Year Plan to reveal a paradigm shift in Seoul's urban vision from a typological to a topological framework. It reinterprets Seoul-ness as a relational identity shaped by geography, ecology, and everyday life, rather than a static form. The 2023 Masterplan's concept of “New Seoul-ness” is analyzed through design-based projects that integrate landscape, governance, and spatial networks along the Han River. By comparing Paris, London, Singapore, and Tokyo, the study shows how Seoul redefines identity beyond Western form-based urbanism. Introducing the idea of Topological Urban Identity , it emphasizes the synthesis of natural topography, cultural context, and socio-spatial relations. Methodologically, it combines theoretical discourse, comparative analysis, and design strategies such as the Green Ring, Yeouido, and Banpo projects. Findings highlight Seoul's transition from monument-centered typology toward relational urbanism, suggesting a resilient, identity-driven model for Asian megacities facing rapid urbanization and cultural discontinuity. The Seoul 100-Year Plan is thus presented not merely as a planning document but as a design-based experiment that integrates identity, ecology, and adaptability, offering a new paradigm for metropolitan resilience and place-based innovation.
Author: Seungman Baek
Institution: Yeungnam University
Language: English
Subfield: Urban Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,500
OpenAlex ID: W7129049180