Rapid urbanization usually involves a rise in the number of apartments.
As conversion to concrete jungles continues, some villages and small towns in the capital
are left behind in the process.
But now some are trying to turn things around and provide a new lease in life to these areas.
Kim Mok-yeon sheds light on such efforts.
The neighborhood of Gaebong 3-dong, located in Seoul's Guro-gu district, is a low-rise
residential area that had fallen into disrepair.
Most of its public facilities, including roads, alleys and playgrounds were neglected for
a long time.
But in recent years, there have been signs of significant change.
(STAND UP) ed: steve "Two years ago, this place was deserted.
It has since been rebuilt and is now a community hall where villagers can take a rest and spend
time with each other."
At the community hall, the locals can take take classes in yoga, singing or learn to
make jam from fresh fruit.
(KOREAN) "The first thing was that university students
came and took a look at the inconveniences residents were facing.
They started by rennovating the stone steps and installed security cameras for us.
We're very thankful, and we're proud of them."
These students were able to make a difference with the help of Seoul city's Residential
Environment Management program.
The program first began in 2009.
It puts on a contest in which university students select underdeveloped areas and submit ideas
on how to improve living conditions, which they could get a chance to implement under
the guidance of their professor.
(KOREAN) "We've held this competition on a yearly basis,
and for the past eight years, a total of 580 applications have been submitted.
Out of those, eight have been selected and have been turned into real projects."
The program doesn't end with the students just handing over their programs.
Some participants stay on in the villages as advocates, serving as a liaison between
residents and city officials.
North of the Han River, in Seodaemun-gu district, the neighborhood of Hongje 3-dong is getting
some help from two students and a professor.
The team of three looked at the way the residents live and the inconveniences they face... and
came up with solutions such as installing security lights, painting the walls of kindergartens
so people don't dump garbage outside them, and holding get-togethers for the villagers.
(KOREAN) "By working here on-site every day, I realized
that things are very different from what I've learned from books.
I learned that we should look more carefully at the people and their way of life too."
(KOREAN) "At first, we were planning to focus on the
architecture side of the project, but later we realized that creating a community spirit
is more important.
So we are now trying to get people together and help them share opinions that can develop
the village."
Thanks to the efforts of the team, Seoul city said it would provide some 1.8 million U.S.
dollars for the development of the village, dispatching experts and installing facilities
that could boost the participation of its residents.
Locals say the neighborhood has had a new energy since the team started their work.
(KOREAN) "We are learning a lot from these students.
I was able to meet neigbours I hadn't met before, and more people greet each other in
the streets.
I think other residents are also slowly trying to make efforts to change the village."
The professor supervising the team says all these efforts are to make a happier place
for people to live in.
(KOREAN) "Ultimately, people want to live in a place
where there is happiness and harmony.
And I think happiness comes from small actions where people can comfortably share their opinions
with their neighbours.
So we want to create a platform for residents to communicate with each other."
The team, along with the villagers of Hongje 3-dong, have been cooperating for the past
three years to build a better village.
As so, Seoul City plans to continue with its Residential Environment Management program
in the coming years... and lift up more neighborhoods in need of a hand.
Kim Mok-yeon, Arirang News.