Eum Yang
After half a century of spectacular economic growth accompanied by massive urbanisation and environmental costs, Korea is now reassessing past urban practices in order to develop more appropriate models. This design competition for a new city was launched in an era of critical importance, not only for Korea but for all urban societies searching to harmonise the apparently irreconcilable contradiction between urban growth and the needs of the environment. Our competition entry embraced the philosophical paradigm known in Korea as Eum and Yang. Eum and Yang are opposites. Part of Eum is in Yang, part of Yang is in Eum. Eum and Yang are interdependent. This proposal recognises the interdependency, and interconnectedness of the urban fabric and the natural systems as well as the necessity of developing a relationship where both elements consume and support each other in ways that are sustainable and sustaining.