[Opinion] City Square

Ancient cities of Europe have one in common. A big church was located in the best place of the city and the large square was in front of the church. It is a precious clue for understanding the European. As the church which is ‘a place for God’ was situated in the center of the city, a religion was absolute for a life of European. In front of the church, the square was the communication place where the citizens talked each other after worship. The square served as a political event, festival and playground. Accordingly, it was natural that the democracy was developed in Europe which the city structure itself performs the free public communication.

▷ One of images of foreign city is the square. There are the Spain Square and the Square in front of Basilica di San Pietro in Rome, Trafalgar Square in London and Times Square in New York. The city life can be dreary, but the Square becomes active. Some people said that the square is the place where connects the city and man. However, there is no remarkable square in Seoul. Seoul has the Youido Square, but it is not situated in the center of the city. Even so, the square is changed into a park.

▷Seoul is the city where was constructed according to the city plan early in Chosun. The city plan of those days didn’t have a concept for making the square. After determining the location of the palace and the royal ancestor’s shrine, remaining lands were for residence and commercial area. Because this city was made in the age of absolute monarchy, the people’s square cannot be imagined from the beginning. After World Cup 2002, the movement for creating the square in the center of city has been started by the cultural organization. During World Cup 2002, citizens gathered in Gwanghwamun and cheered in a poor position blocking the road. It is insisted that ‘free area’ where people can enjoy the culture freely must be created.

▷ It is certain that creating the square in the center of the small and expensive city is hard. Lee Myoung-Bak, the new Seoul Mayor announced to create the square in front of the city hall. But, the traffic problem can be an obstruction. The citizens must select one between negative effect and positive effects of the square. Ancestors who didn’t make the square cannot be blamed. To obtain one good thing, a sacrifice must be made.

Chan-Sik Hong chansik@donga.com