Urban Regeneration: A Sustainable Future for Everyone

Over the summer vacation, reporters from the CNU Press and Broadcasting Center visited Shenji New Village in Taichung, Taiwan, one of the most famous and successful examples of urban regeneration projects and a potential model for Gwangju’s Balsan Village. This coverage was provided as part of the “Oman-Gihaeng” program operated by the Office of International Affairs, aiming to cultivate a global mindset on campus. – Ed.

South Korea is one of the most urbanized countries in the world, with nearly 90 percent of its land classified as urban according to The National Atlas of Korea. This rapid urban expansion, driven by the need to manage a dense population, has resulted in numerous abandoned buildings, particularly in areas affected by the decline of traditional industries and local infrastructure. The issue of widespread building abandonment is not unique to South Korea; it is a common challenge in countries with limited space and high population density.

In Taiwan, for example, about 80 percent of the population lives in urban areas, and many buildings have stood empty for years. To address this, the Taiwanese government continues to revitalize vacant buildings, originally built for a concentrated population, through urban regeneration initiatives aiming to promote sustainable cities and accelerate regional revitalization. A notable example of this effort is Shenji New Village, which serves as a successful regeneration model. The village can be compared to Cheongchun-Balsan Village in Gwangju to offer deeper insights into effective regeneration strategies.

From Unused to Tourist Attraction
Shenji New Village was originally built as a dormitory complex for Taiwan provincial government employees. After a major government restructuring, the dormitories were no longer needed, and the area was left abandoned for years. In 2015, Taichung City transformed this dormitory complex into a commercial hub aimed at providing opportunities for entrepreneurs. The village’s success is rooted in a core principle: achieving commercial competitiveness by show- casing people’s unique stories. 

Fago Wang, the manager of BUBU Café in Shenji New Village, told the Tribune his story. “My café provides one-of-a-kind experiences of painting food with edible art materials. Many customers come to my café and the village to have such experiences.” Each shop has its own distinctiveness, and visitors are drawn to the village to enjoy these experiences. To maintain this ecosystem, the Taichung City Government utilizes a selective strategy, choosing tenants based on the potential profitability and originality of their business ideas. This ensures that every shop contributes to the village’s overall commercial success. 

To Be Filled with Youth Again 
Located in Yang-dong, Gwangju, Cheongchun-Balsan Village was once home to Gwangju’s textile industry in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The village thrived with youthful energy, as many of the workers lived near their factories. However, as the textile industry declined, many of the young residents left the village. In 2015, Gwangju Metropolitan City launched an urban regeneration project to bring youth back to this village, remodeling buildings and renting them out as workspaces for young artists and entrepreneurs. Many came to practice their arts and open shops. 

As Song Myung-eun, the CEO of Cheongchun-Balsan cooperative, explained, “Artists and entrepreneurs came to the neighborhood. They painted murals on the walls of the streets and opened their shops. The village was designed to provide artistic infrastructure and amenities for its residents.” While the initial regeneration project for amenities was completed in 2018, the city continues to develop plans to make this village more famous and attract more tourists by leveraging surrounding facilities.

Similarities and Differences 
Both villages renovated old buildings for new purposes: serving as commercial hubs with tourist attractions and spaces for arts and entrepreneurship. The core aim of the Shenji New Village project was to create new value by offering affordable space for young entrepreneurs. It follows a model where the government revitalizes a space and brings in new business owners to inject vitality. Kung De Wei, the manager of Wonder Space jewelry shop in Shenji New Village, said, “The shops must have commercial competitiveness derived from uniqueness, because the city officials consider this the most important.” The unique experiences are what many tourists seek, making Shenji New Village a top destination in Taichung. 

In contrast, Balsan Village follows a resident-led participation model. Existing residents’ opinions are gathered from the start of the project. Min Mun-shik, the president of the Gwangju Urban Regeneration Community Center, explained, “Gwangju focuses on people and resident-led urban regeneration. Regenerated buildings are home to many.” This approach is clearly applied to Balsan Village. Song said, “Our village evaluates shop candidates based on whether they can provide amenities for residents; commercial competitiveness is not the main criterion.” This strategy ensures a strong sense of community and local identity, serving residents’ needs.

Toward Successful Urban Regeneration
Balsan Village’s original intention was to provide amenities and housing stability to its residents. However, Gwangju has recently shifted its focus toward making the village a tourist destination, which contradicts this initial goal. To strike a balance between serving residents and attracting tourists, it is necessary to enhance the village’s commercial competitiveness to some extent. “One of the core elements of successful urban regeneration is economic viability. Encouraging entrepreneurship and creating job opportunities for residents is essential,” President Min said. Planners aim to gear their business strategies to profit optimization, as tourists seek unique and memorable experiences. Such business models that ensure steady revenue are necessary for Balsan village to function both as a tourist destination and a cultural space for residents.

By Kim Jong-hyo, Editor