Seoul urban design and safety initiatives

Seoul has undertaken various urban development projects focused on safety, culture, and heritage integration.

In Dongjak-gu, the completion of a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) project has targeted residential areas to enhance nighttime visibility and resident safety through improved lighting, reflective mirrors, and safety fences. This initiative contributed to a reported 34% decrease in five major crimes in the district between 2020 and 2025. Additionally, the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to convert the former Seongdong Detention Center into a youth cultural complex dedicated to digital competency and content creation.

In Gangnam-gu, the ‘Seonjeongneung Heritage Brand Experience Design’ project received the Korea Public Design Award. The project integrated the Seonjeongneung World Heritage site into the urban environment by applying traditional symbolic designs to local infrastructure and introducing sensory content, such as seasonal forest scents and ambient nature music, to create a unified cultural experience.