Reconnecting North and South Korea a Win For Foster+Partners
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With a startling green master-plan that will one day connect North and South Korea, Foster+Partners has won an international competition to design an extensive mixed-use scheme for two Korean islands near Seoul.
That it is bold, green and innovative is no surprise. Foster+Partners is known for visionary sustainable architecture – such as their Teatro Del Agua. It harvests sea spray and wind to naturally cool an outdoor amphitheater.
But this is perhaps their most extraordinary scheme ever. How often does an Architectural firm get to connect a communist and a capitalist country? With the world’s longest bridge? Incredible.
The bridges connect two islands in an extensive mixed-use scheme encompassing the islands of KangHwa and OnJin-gun, to the north west of Seoul. Previously North and South Korea have had no road connections.
The sustainable development is completely designed from the ground up and will take 10-15 years to fully phase in.
The entire 115 square mile area will be self sufficient and support a population able to grow sustainably from 35000 to 320,000 residents and commuters working in its green industry zone.
The world’s longest bridge will eventually connect North and South Korea and a shared airport. Near the main airport will be green industries connecting North and South Korea in economic cooperation.
A Light Rapid Transit system will connect the 3 main living and working spaces in the free trade zone.
The zoning will encourage green industry such as manufacturing photovoltaic panels and wind turbines, and developing new products and technology within a new research and development institute.
Biomass energy generation and hydrogen fuel cells will supply most of the energy.
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I applaud and congratulate Foster+Partners for landing this most auspicious and symbolic of projects for this part of the world and the planet itself. My father is Korean and lived through the break up of this country into North and South. He will be elated to live to see the construction of this project. Please try to complete it sooner rather than later. Thanks for contributing to the long awaited progress toward reunification for Korea.
Thank you.
I applaud and congratulate Foster+Partners for landing this most auspicious and symbolic of projects for this part of the world and the planet itself. My father is Korean and lived through the break up of this country into North and South. He will be elated to live to see the construction of this project. Please try to complete it sooner rather than later. Thanks for contributing to the long awaited progress toward reunification for Korea.
Thank you.
It is encouraging, isn’t it Peter? I worked in Seoul (fashion industry) for a few months in my youth and was saddened by the separation and feeling of danger and disruption the situation created. The government of South Korea must be extending a hand by offering a free trade connection like this.
It is encouraging, isn’t it Peter? I worked in Seoul (fashion industry) for a few months in my youth and was saddened by the separation and feeling of danger and disruption the situation created. The government of South Korea must be extending a hand by offering a free trade connection like this.
I think you guys are misunderstanding the North and it’s intentions.
South Korea has attempted all sorts of feel good projects with joint business ventures and such.
In the end, nothing changes and the North ends up being a pain in the a$$, and the project falls apart, or loses any significance.
Until the North changes, nothing will.
I think you guys are misunderstanding the North and it’s intentions.
South Korea has attempted all sorts of feel good projects with joint business ventures and such.
In the end, nothing changes and the North ends up being a pain in the a$$, and the project falls apart, or loses any significance.
Until the North changes, nothing will.
Co-operation will always pay more than conflict, the north may not change overnight but I doubt if they will walk away so fast from this project.
Co-operation will always pay more than conflict, the north may not change overnight but I doubt if they will walk away so fast from this project.
Sadly, you are incorrect.
As far as the project itself, it sounds interesting, but frankly from all I have seen regarding business “partnerships” with North Korea, it will be a huge headache with no benifit.
It’s similar to planning a nice ecological boat, and tying an anchor to it and expecting it to move wonderfully through the waters.
There are good ways of being green, and good ways of promoting change in an enslaved country, but I have yet to see any evidence that the two can co-exist when massive amounts of money and politics are involved, despite all your feel good daydreams.
I would encourage you to actually research the history as well as current events regarding Korea, but I realize that not everyone has either interest or time.
Sadly, you are incorrect.
As far as the project itself, it sounds interesting, but frankly from all I have seen regarding business “partnerships” with North Korea, it will be a huge headache with no benifit.
It’s similar to planning a nice ecological boat, and tying an anchor to it and expecting it to move wonderfully through the waters.
There are good ways of being green, and good ways of promoting change in an enslaved country, but I have yet to see any evidence that the two can co-exist when massive amounts of money and politics are involved, despite all your feel good daydreams.
I would encourage you to actually research the history as well as current events regarding Korea, but I realize that not everyone has either interest or time.
simply “name” is right, please people, it looks promising, but seriously like “name” said, study the history and the present circumstances of each country. North Korea will bail, they have far less capital (devoted to things besides warfare) than S. Korea; and will only proceed if it leads to a strategical advantage over the south(they have threatened to invade with full scale warfare since the Korean war many many times so this is probable).
simply “name” is right, please people, it looks promising, but seriously like “name” said, study the history and the present circumstances of each country. North Korea will bail, they have far less capital (devoted to things besides warfare) than S. Korea; and will only proceed if it leads to a strategical advantage over the south(they have threatened to invade with full scale warfare since the Korean war many many times so this is probable).