For millennia, humans have shaped their environments by clearing, leveling, and reclaiming land for habitation. Historically, this process has served as a means of survival and a political tool, reinforcing social hierarchies such as public/private, sacred/profane, and upper/lower class divisions. In the 1970s, Jeddah’s mayor, Mohammed Said Farsi, initiated an ambitious urban development project to reclaim over 30 kilometers of the Red Sea coastline, transforming it into a public waterfront. This initiative emerged at a time when urban expansion had left most of the city’s shoreline accessible only to the affluent. By opening the waterfront to the general public, the project challenged prevailing spatial inequalities and redefined access to Jeddah’s coastal environment.
The 2021 Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism (SBAU) presented a series of exhibitions, events, and conferences reflecting on the future of urban environments. This third edition, curated by architect Dominique Perrault, was titled "CROSSROADS: Building the Resilient City." The theme emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the exchange of expertise in addressing the complex challenges of urban resilience. The biennale sought to explore how cities adapt to environmental, economic, and social pressures, fostering sustainable and inclusive urban development.
Located in Dongdaemun Design Plaza, which was designed by London-based Zaha Hadid Architects. Hadid’s concept of "Metonymic Landscape" was rooted in the idea of using architectural form to reflect broader urban, historical, and social narratives symbolically. Designed with three fundamental principles in mind: transparency, porousness, and durability. Additionally, the building integrates numerous ecological features, such as a double-skin facade, solar panels, and a water recycling system, ensuring both sustainability and durability.
