This paper examines different changes taken place in the core and the periphery of Seoul during the Japanese colonial period. It discusses that such spatial characteristics coincide with a typical scene of colonial cities where division of areas acco...
This paper examines different changes taken place in the core and the periphery of Seoul during the Japanese colonial period. It discusses that such spatial characteristics coincide with a typical scene of colonial cities where division of areas according to different racial groups was apparent.
Formation of the periphery and the different characters they had compared to the core of the city showed major characteristics of urbanization, especially that of capitalistic urbanization, and such were apparent in urbanization of Keijo. First of all, a city planning which shapes physical appearance of spatial areas differed considerably between the core and the peripheral areas. Therefore, there were great differences not only on the horizontal but also the vertical levels in the core and the periphery of the city; that is, as urbanization progressed, dualistic spatial structures were formed in the core and the periphery of Keijo. While the core was developed under 'the Great Keijo' plan that the Japanese colonial government continuously propagandized, the periphery showed contradictory scenes symbolizing advantages and disadvantages (bright and dark sides) of urbanization. In this regard, study on the differentiation of the core and the periphery areas is necessary not only to realize colonial characteristics of racial differentiation in urban spatial areas but also to understand overall characteristics in colonial urbanization in Seoul.
Although studies on Seoul during the colonial era mostly dealt with the central part of the city, more attention needs to be paid on the periphery of the city, especially those outskirts of the old city, considering the importance of historical study on the area. As mentioned in the paper, urbanized during the colonial period, those outskirts areas of Seoul led development of the city after the Liberation in 1945. The city planning and developments taken place in that areas continued to play an important role in urbanization in other areas after the Liberation of Korea.