From Incineration to Integration

FINALIST of Form Follows Life

+ FINALIST

Form Follows Life

[14225]

From Incineration to Integration: ReimaginingCityLandscapesforHuman-NatureHarmony

Team

Name: Sunwoo Choi

Nationality: Korean

Institution / Company: Gansam

In central Seoul, a unique site embodies urban development complexities. Despite ample green spaces, a 65-meter gap created by roads and paths severs the mountain-river connection. This fragmented landscape, with mountains to the west and an incinerator to the east, presents opportunities to address waste management, NIMBY attitudes, wildlife habitats, and future energy needs.

By 2030, the incinerator, despite anticipated NIMBY sentiments, will have already been established in the middle of a residential area due to the politically weak nature of the district. To compensate for the impact on residents, welfare facilities will have been set up nearby, and eco-friendly education programs will be implemented. These measures will have initiated the transformation.

By 2050, the limitations of incineration will become apparent. Harmful emissions and ash disposal issues will reveal the inefficiencies of this method. As recycling gains momentum, the role of the incinerator will diminish, evolving into a recycling center, with nature gradually reclaiming the surrounding areas.

By 2080, a planning paradigm shift will be implemented. The disconnected river and mountain will be reunited, healing the urban scar. The former incinerator site will become a vibrant community space. Riverbanks will transform into shared human-animal realms, while reconnected mountain areas will prioritize wildlife habitats.

Innovative architectural solutions will foster coexistence. Multi-layered, insulated glass modules with exterior frames will serve as both façade and structure. These will incorporate bird-safe patterns and strategically placed building-integrated photovoltaics, enhancing sustainability.

This metamorphosis will exemplify future city planning that transcends boundaries. By prioritizing environmental integration, sustainable technologies, and interspecies coexistence, it will transform industrial sites into thriving, eco-conscious spaces. Seoul’s journey from a fragmented, industry-dominated landscape to an integrated, nature-embracing ecosystem will serve as a global beacon.

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