Streets in the sky and vertical clouds: rethinking commercial architecture to revitalize the cities: the case of Ulsan in Korea

Abstract

Urban planning issues have preoccupied the Korean government for a long time. Several urban revitalization projects have been carried out in different parts of Korea to enhance the neighborhood quality of life. Most of these revitalization and/ or urban regeneration projects were concentrated into housing and residential projects or costly urban spaces while trying to copycat Seoul. The negative impact of COVID-19 during the past two years caused many local businesses to shut down beside the psychological effect of the lockdown and the massive loss of lives, not only in Korea but all over the world. My research will focus on the following four aspects: • Local economy: Post-COVID-19 economic re-boot • Sustainability: Enhance quality of life and environment • Social interaction: Identifying commercial architecture social impact on customers, and local communities • Architectural identity: A symbiosis between form and function For this purpose, I am researching commercial architecture in Korea as a catalyst element between people and their built environment by answering the following question: How postCOVID-19 commercial architecture can improve quality of life, local economy, and bring a new architectural experience to people in Ulsan City center while having a very specific architectural identity? It is not about replicating Korean traditional architecture; rather, it is about developing a distinct character for Ulsan's commercial architecture.