IFEZ Journal

The “Control Tower” of Urban Landscape: The Urban Design Office

The Urban Design Office is responsible for guiding both individual architectural projects and the broader landscape quality and city image of the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ).

Recognizing urban design as a key driver of competitiveness, the division sets and consistently enforces standards to boost the city’s long-term value and identity. It creates urban design policies and guidelines to guide landscape management and conducts design reviews to ensure development projects are aligned with the overall urban context.

Furthermore, the division advocates for public space enhancement initiatives that residents can engage with in their everyday lives. Through the integration of policy formulation, review, and implementation, it runs an all-encompassing system overseeing the entire process from planning stages to execution. This methodology ensures the gradual development of uniform standards throughout the city.

Urban design extends beyond legal and technical assessments. It demands a holistic approach that considers the city’s overall flow and context, rather than just individual spaces.

Landscape Review : Completing the Flow of the City

The Urban Design Office’s role is most evident in its landscape review process, which extends beyond basic design assessment to serve as a tool for coordinating the city’s overall image and context.

Instead of concentrating solely on the appearance or structure of individual buildings, the division emphasizes the overall impact of each development on the city. It considers numerous elements such as streetscapes, skylines, view corridors, and pedestrian spaces, prioritizing adherence to landscape guidelines and harmony with nearby areas.Balancing development efficiency with public value continues to be a major challenge. Developers often focus on economic viability and project deadlines, while the public sector must weigh long-term urban benefits and public interest. Through the landscape review process, the Urban Design Office mediates these differences and, when necessary, conducts re-reviews to develop better alternatives. This process extends beyond approval procedures, transforming into a collaborative effort between the public and private sectors to shape the city’s future and identify optimal solutions.

As these standards accumulate, the landscape is increasingly recognized as a core urban value and a public asset, serving as a benchmark for improving the quality of real spaces.

Expanding Urban Design from Space to Experience

The Urban Design Office is shaping not only how spaces are used but also how citizens experience the city through its landscape policies.

This approach is exemplified by projects like the Startup Park media board and the “Oasis Area” initiative. The media board at Startup Park integrates media art with public content, fostering a more vibrant urban aesthetic and illustrating how landscape can transcend mere visuals to become immersive experiences.

The “Oasis Area” project aims to enhance green infrastructure throughout key locations in Songdo, Yeongjong, and Cheongna, providing residents with access to nature citywide. Dispersed parks are interconnected by tree-lined “Loops,” while garden pathways called “Links” form a dense network that facilitates walking, relaxation, and scenic views across the urban landscape.

This long-term approach extends beyond merely visual comfort to include physical activity, striving to develop a people-focused landscape that integrates seamlessly throughout the city. As these efforts grow, residents can more vividly experience the richness and value of urban spaces in their everyday lives.

The Value of a City, Completed in Everyday Life

The Urban Design Office aims not only to create a visually attractive city but also to foster a city where pride naturally becomes part of everyday life.

A city is more than just a collection of structures; it is a dynamic space where memories and experiences are constantly created by those who live and pass through it. Activities like strolling through a park to admire architectural details or observing landscaped greenery and the sea from within a building are naturally intertwined.

Ultimately, urban design aims to help citizens recognize the importance of their environment and foster a sense of pride in their city. The initiatives led by the Urban Design Office are not only altering the city’s visual landscape but also positively impacting the daily lives of its residents.

Urban design is [                     ]to us

[An Equation] 

Urban design is not simply an artistic process that produces aesthetic outcomes. It is a precise calculation that integrates numerous variables to maximize a city’s value.

Balancing conflicting factors like “development efficiency” and “public quality” requires deriving an optimal solution through landscape reviews and policy frameworks. This process is akin to solving a complex equation.

The result of this equation is a “beautiful and livable city” to be handed down to future generations.

Lee Min-su, 

Head of Division

[Creating Memories] 

People tend to remember a place’s atmosphere and experiences rather than specific buildings. Urban design creates the environment that shapes these memories.

In newly developing cities like IFEZ, it is important to establish a distinct identity through consistent landscapes and spatial continuity. The role of urban design is to ensure that citizens retain positive memories of the city.

Lee Hee-suk, 

Officer

[Joy in Everyday Life] 

Managing urban landscapes is about shaping the impressions that citizens encounter every day in streets and spaces.

As IFEZ develops concurrently, it is essential to craft a unique city identity while preserving harmony. Our team persistently collaborates to enhance IFEZ’s character, aiming to infuse everyday moments of joy into the lives of its residents.

Kim Hyun-jung, 

Officer