The Canary Wharf in London, La Promenade Plantee in Paris... or the Marina Bay in Singapore.
These are just some examples of urban renewal projects around the world.
Urban regeneration or renewal is rebooting abandoned and derelict areas with new developments
to turn then into hip destinations brimming with new parks, cultural venues, and nightlife.
We're seeing more of this right here in the Korean capital, as well.
The latest revitalization efforts of Seoul: Our News Feature tonight with Kim Jungsoo.
The neighborhood of Bulgwang 2-dong in Seoul's Eunpyeong District is usually quiet and unassuming,
but it's recently received a meaningful injection of energy.
That's because the city of Seoul selected it in a contest as one of 20 neighborhoods
in the capital that will receive 120 million won, or 100-thousand U.S. dollars, to fund
its own urban regeneration programs.
Under the guidance of an urban regeneration activist who works with the city government,
area residents are now busy surveying which parts of the neighborhood need to be restored.
But perhaps more importantly, the contest has helped bring the community together.
"Really, what is most meaningful is that the residents realize the importance of a strong
sense of community, so that even when the external support ends, the neighborhood will
continue to look for ways to grow."
The latest urban regeneration projects differ from past urban redevelopment programs, which
started in the 1970s and were directed by the Korean government to address the country's
rapid economic development and gentrification.
Construction companies were authorized to make abandoned areas livable and trendy, but
people were evicted and their homes demolished.
The programs placed a heavy emphasis on exterior design, but ignored the needs and visions
of area residents.
"Past redevelopment programs assumed that a new physical environment would guarantee
a good living environment.
But we soon realized that we had overlooked two factors -- the geographical uniqueness
of the region and the sense of community and culture.
So urban regeneration projects should account for both elements."
Many urban-planning experts point to a little community in the center of Seoul to prove
their point.
"Jangsu Village in Seoul is a prime example of successful urban regeneration.
As Seoul faces the inevitable effects of an aging population, many believe the village
can serve as an effective role-model."
Jangsu Village has a population of about 600 people in 300 households.
Many are migrants from the countryside who were displaced by the Korean War, and over
65 percent of them are well over 60.
Jangsu Village was considered for a government-driven "New Town Development" project back 2004.
But no commercial developers opted to join in, because the available land was too small
and the issue of land-ownership was too complicated.
Then, things took a turn in 2008, when area residents decided to take the initiative to
recruit their own architect... and come up with their own renewal plan.
They approached the Seoul city government in 2013 to seek financial support for their
plan, in which the city government would listen to the village, rather than directing it.
"Really, our attempt at urban renewal is very different from other government-led initiatives,
which often build a roadmap aimed at reaping the most benefits in the shortest amount of
time.
Our focus is on the comfort and needs of our residents."
As a result of their efforts, Jangsu Village now boasts a number of new features.
There are new staircases, CCTV cameras and community spaces called sarangbangs, where
area residents -- many of whom are aging and live alone -- can gather and spend time together.
"It's great to have this space to spend the winter.
The roads have become wider, and the residences all have gas and electricity now."
But as the village representative stresses again and again, urban regeneration projects
do not, and should not, have a fixed timeline.
As longtime residents move away and new ones come in, the neighborhood will have to adjust
to the needs of the changing community, which means that the regeneration process becomes
a thoughtful, continuous conversation between the people and the spaces they inhabit.
Kim Jung-soo, Arirang News.