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🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

Beyond Space Consumption: The Power of 'Spatial Literacy'

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • The concept of 'spatial literacy' is introduced as the ability to understand, interpret, and express the meaning of spaces and their relationship to life.
  • The article highlights how good spaces awaken senses and encourage language, using the renovation of Omok Park in Seoul as an example of citizens articulating their experiences.
  • It contrasts this with the detrimental effects of poor spatial planning, citing the Mill Creek area in Philadelphia where a lack of understanding of a buried creek led to environmental and social inequalities.

Good spaces awaken the senses and invite language, but many people struggle to articulate why they find a place appealing. 'Spatial literacy' is presented as the ability to not just consume space, but to form a relationship with it. This involves understanding how spaces are created, how they connect to our lives, and expressing that meaning in our own words.

The chairs can be moved freely, so I feel like I'm the designer of this space.

— Omok Park userA user describes their feeling of agency and connection to the renovated Omok Park in Seoul.

The renovation of Omok Park in Seoul serves as a prime example. After its update, users described how the design influenced their experience. They noted how the ample shade made them linger, how the movable chairs gave them a sense of being the space's designer, and how the elevated walkway offered new perspectives on familiar surroundings. Their comments, though not expert jargon, precisely captured the spatial qualities that made the park engaging.

Conversely, the article points to the Mill Creek area in Philadelphia as a stark illustration of the consequences of poor spatial understanding. Decades ago, a creek was buried under urban development. Despite its physical removal from maps, the water's path persisted, leading to recurring ground subsidence and building collapses. This environmental vulnerability, compounded by discriminatory housing policies, created a cycle of poverty and inequality for its predominantly Black residents.

The shade is so wide that I unconsciously sit here for a long time.

— Omok Park userA user explains how the park's design encourages them to spend more time there.

Through a project involving local students, the Mill Creek community began to re-examine their environment using historical maps and hydrological data. This process helped them realize that their struggles were not due to personal failings but were rooted in urban planning that ignored natural flows and discriminatory spatial policies. This newfound understanding of their space's history and context sparked a desire for change and led to community-driven design initiatives.

Walking on the second floor of the park makes the familiar scenery feel charmingly new.

— Omok Park userA user shares their experience of gaining new perspectives from the park's elevated walkway.

Ultimately, spatial literacy is portrayed as a tool to enhance the 'resolution' of life. By learning to read and understand the spaces around us, the mundane urban landscape transforms into a vivid text, revealing the intricate details and stories embedded within everyday environments. It's about recognizing the narrative within the landscape, moving from a low-resolution, faded image to a high-definition experience.

The space feels much thicker than before.

— Omok Park userA user describes the enhanced sense of depth and richness in the renovated park.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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