Young planners in Uijeongbu, South Korea, are preserving the history and identity of a neighborhood known as 'Flower Village' by documenting its faded colors and elements.
In the spring of 2024, in the Flower Village of Geumdong, Uijeongbu City, young planner Yu Yoon-ha stumbled upon a faded yellow gochujang (spicy red pepper paste) container during her way to a meeting. This seemingly useless item, left in disrepair, sparked a deeper reflection on the village's own faded identity, aptly captured by the term 'faded color' that mirrored the neglected state of the neighborhood. This moment became a pivotal starting point for her and other youths who began to gather and record the unique 'colors' of Flower Village.
Historically, Flower Village was a vibrant community that organized festivals; however, since the withdrawal of a U.S. military base in 2011, discussions around development have drastically altered the neighborhood's dynamics. After undergoing a designation and subsequent de-designation as a new town area, the redevelopment initiatives have stalled due to conflicts among residents, contributing to an atmosphere of uncertainty. The prolonged indecision regarding redevelopment has led residents to forgo personal investments in their homes and businesses, further neglecting the maintenance of signboards and structures that now serve as physical reminders of the village's history.
As large-scale new cities like Gosan New Town and Yangju Okjeong District emerged nearby, the youth began to leave, adding to the demographic shift. The constant changes and delays in redevelopment have increased residents' fatigue concerning these plans, revealing layers of the village's history through its dilapidated signboards and facades. Instead of viewing Flower Village as merely abandoned, the youth see a potential for rediscovery, capturing the essence of the area through their collection and documentation of the village's unique timeline and heritage.
