“Space is not a thing but rather a set of relations between things (objects and products)."
— The Production of Space, Henri Lefebvre, 1991

The exhibition planned for UIA 2024 Kuala Lumpur ‘Diversecity’ focuses on the dualities of urbanization and the socioeconomic challenges faced by South Korea’s county-level regions (gun, 郡). The exhibition’s title, “8.3% Cities,” symbolizes the percentage of South Korea’s population living in county areas, reflecting the reality of incomplete urbanization in these regions.

As of the end of 2023, approximately 4 million of South Korea's 51 million people reside in gun regions. Since the nation’s liberation, the population in these areas has steadily declined. Primarily reliant on primary industries such as agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, gun regions exhibit low levels of industrial activity in sectors such as commerce and manufacturing. These areas, characterized by low population density and vast expanses, remain partially urbanized without fully acquiring the form or function of cities.

This stands in stark contrast to metropolitan cities like Seoul. While Seoul encompasses 605 square kilometers with a population of 9.7 million (a density of roughly 160 people per hectare), the average gun region spans 800 square kilometers with 50,000 residents, equating to a density of approximately 0.69 people per hectare. This disparity underscores the economic and infrastructural lag in gun regions. However, this incomplete urbanization also offers a unique opportunity to preserve regional distinctiveness and foster sustainable development grounded in local characteristics.

Henri Lefebvre’s notion in The Production of Space—that space is not a physical phenomenon but a social construct defined by relationships—serves as a foundational concept in understanding urban regeneration in gun regions. These areas are not simply advancing toward urbanization through infrastructure or economic growth but are seeking new pathways for development by preserving and reinterpreting their unique relational characteristics.

To address these issues, the South Korean government has initiated urban regeneration projects targeting gun regions. While private-sector regeneration often focuses on commercial growth, government-led efforts aim to preserve local identity, reinvigorate social and cultural dynamics, and prioritize attracting younger populations and improving quality of life. These initiatives go beyond economic recovery, emphasizing community engagement and the restoration of collective vitality.

The Western concept of the Generic City highlights the loss of uniqueness as urbanization accelerates. In contrast, gun regions are striving to maintain their distinct economic and cultural identities while resisting homogenization. This effort is captured in the term “Renewing Towns”—an experimental model of urban regeneration aimed at sustainable development and adaptive survival.

This exhibition will shed light on the multifaceted challenges faced by small towns in South Korea’s rural areas and propose solutions with global relevance. By presenting a regeneration model centered on survival and adaptation rather than urban expansion, the exhibition will offer new perspectives on urban development in East Asia and redefine the meaning of urban regeneration.