
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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