Global Citizen Dialogue

Palaces for the People – An Urban Lab for the Cities & Communities of the Future

On May 17th, 2024, the second event of the 2024's Global Citizen Dialogue series took place in the form of a day-long workshop titled “Palaces for the People – An Urban Lab for the Cities & Communities of the Future.” The aim was to provide participants with a platform to engage and interact with the important aspect of communal virtues in urban life. Sven Gerst, an expert in political and economic philosophy as well as an experienced facilitator, moderated and facilitated the event. 

"Global Citizen Dialogue – Future by Us (GCD)" is a collaborative education project of Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Korea office and the POSCO TJ Park Foundation designed to nurture active future leaders interested in seeking an answer to those questions. Since 2023, GCD has been holding various programs centered around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This year, GCD aims to delve deeply into the “UN SGD Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities”, following last year’s focus on “SGD Goal 13: Climate Action”.

The day began with Frederic Spohr, Head of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Korea Office, delivering an introduction speech, followed by Mijeong Bang, Secretary General of the POSCO TJ Park Foundation, introducing herself and the foundation. The workshop hosted participants with 14 different nationalities including Myanmar, Mongolia, the Philippines, Indonesia and many more, representing many diverse countries which enriched the discussions.

After a short speed introduction within the participants as a warm-up, the first step of the workshop was called “The City as Social Infrastructure: Urban Life, Community & Civic Virtue”. Participants brainstormed about city planning and what was important from both the planner’s and the citizen’s perspective. Following that, Sven Gerst provided further insights into the topic and shared his personal influences. One task the participants had to do afterwards was to think about their happy place in their city. The group came to the conclusion that the social infrastructure, which includes physical places and organizations where different social classes can come together, is the city’s most important factor.

After a lunch break, the most interactive part of the day began, a Scavenger Hunt called “Into the Wild”. Participants were put into groups and explored the nearby neighborhood of Samcheong in Seoul, focusing on the urban planning of the streets, the park and other surroundings. This engaging exercise gave participants a chance to look at the city from a different perspective.

Last but not least, all participants gathered again at the Urban Lab to create “Palaces for the People” using a City Creation tool online. By creating their own vision of a future city that includes the most important aspects of a place to live at, the participants had the chance to feel like urban planners themselves – which they have now learned a lot about.

At the end of the successful workshop, the group reflected together and wrapped up, with a last ending statement made by Young-Dal Oh, Director of the POSCO TJ Foundation.

*Jana van Wasen studies Modern East Asian Studies at University Duisburg-Essen and is currently doing an internship at Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Korea office in Seoul.