ART4D WILL TAKE EVERYONE INTO AN EXPLORATION OF OUR LATEST TRIP ‘ART4D PINNED PLACE: KOREA’ WITH THE FIRST STOP – SONGDO SMART CITY, ONE OF THE WORLD’S EARLIEST EXAMPLES OF A SMART CITY
TEXT & PHOTO: WEERAPON SINGNOI
(For Thai, press here)
We began our Design Tour in Songdo, a city not too far from Incheon International Airport. The reason we chose to visit Songdo—or Songdo Island—is because it is one of the world’s earliest examples of a Smart City.
Formally known as the Songdo International Business District (Songdo IBD), this new city was established on reclaimed land, transforming what was once an empty stretch of coastline into a landscape dominated by high-rise buildings. Each tower brims with technological innovations designed to position Songdo as a future economic hub.
One prime example of Songdo’s technological edge is the nearly ubiquitous network of cameras set up throughout the city. Every vehicle’s license plate is automatically recorded, and the data is sent straight to the municipal office, where city officials keep watch to ensure the safety of daily life.
However, it is not just about technology. Songdo also seeks to enhance the quality of life for its citizens by creating bicycle lanes and reserving over 40% of its space for green areas. The city further aims to recycle water and waste by automatically sorting all garbage and converting it into clean energy.
Beyond simply taking in the overall urban atmosphere, we had the chance to visit two notable buildings in the district:
Tri-Bowl (2010, IARC Architects)
Designed as a venue for art and cultural exhibitions, this structure immediately stands out with its architectural shape resembling three bowls floating on water. According to IARC Architects, these three bowls represent the sky, the ocean, and the earth, mirroring Incheon’s connectivity by air, sea, and land.
The entire complex is meant to appear as though it is hovering above the water, and visitors are able to traverse across a long, internal bridge that serves as the primary pathway. Inside, there is a concert hall as well as an exhibition space that accommodates up to 400 people. Unfortunately, on the day we visited, the facility was closed for renovations, so we were unable to see the interior for ourselves.
G-Tower (2013, HAEAHN Architecture)
This building serves as a prototype for new, eco-friendly office towers, engineered to limit heat absorption and increase energy efficiency. Spanning 33 floors, it provides a range of work and leisure spaces.
The topmost floor features a free observation deck that offers a panoramic view of Songdo, as well as an exhibition detailing the city’s development, giving visitors a comprehensive overview of how this urban project came to be—all in one convenient location.
Yet when experiencing Songdo firsthand, one may not fully sense the touted ‘Smart City’ atmosphere. We were reminded of criticisms describing the city as lacking vitality. Many scholars and observers note that Songdo still lacks cultural and entertainment venues and suffers from limited citizen participation. Much of its development resulted from top-down policies, with little opportunity for resident input, creating a markedly different feel from Seoul—a contrast we will explore in the next episode.
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art4d PINNED PLACE
art4d PINNED PLACE is an initiative intended to take enthusiasts of architecture, design, and art on explorations of hidden creative enclaves, both within Thailand and overseas, through locales and happenings, thoughtfully chosen and arranged by art4d.