A French geographer investigates the startling prevalence of apartment buildings in Seoul.
"When French geographer Valerie Gelezeau first came to Seoul in 1990 to research the city's street networks, she was struck by something else looming above her: the unmistakable presence of Seoul's apartments." In a new book, Gelezeau examines these " 'danji' and their complicated relationship with Korea's modernization." The apartments, originally intended to be temporary, have lasted well over 30 years, and cheap construction continues. "I'm wondering if that's connected to a kind of Asian mentality, where Asian cultures have a different conception of time, and would put less value on building materials," says Gelezeau. A Seoul architect instead believes that "Koreans have a lot of money-oriented thoughts...Instead of building for living purposes, apartments are being built for investments."
Thanks to David Gest
Read the full story: Charting the cycle of modern housing
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