As a participant in the 2018 Seoul Case Study Program, with the University of Seoul and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, I had the opportunity to conduct a comparative analysis between two linear, urban park projects in Seoul and Washington, DC. In approaching this topic for the Seoul Case Study Program, I conducted a thorough, interdisciplinary literature review and annotated bibliography on topics related to the economic impact of urban parks, including gentrification, the High Line effect, disneyfication, civic infrastructure, various public space conceptualizations, and research methods for analysis. From this review, I focused on Glasze's conceptualization of public space and identified five varying analysis frameworks. I conducted interviews with place managers at each site and developed an inventory of equitable development strategies and community engagement strategies to compare the two sites. This analysis led to conclusions about different activities and outcomes for similar projects, and resulted in further research on the role public-private partnerships authority over public space and a comparison of various analysis frameworks. Furthermore, the international context of this comparison challenged me further in identifying literature outside of a domestic context. Much domestic urban affairs research on poverty and wealth concentration in American cities differs in an international context with varying historical, economic, and racial equity forces in play. This paper involved identifying and synthesizing existing literature, identifying appropriate research methods, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions from those findings.
The project and resulting outcomes are evidenced by: Poster Presented based on Analysis Frameworks (Pictured), Picture of Poster Presentation at APPAM (Pictured), Picture of Seoullo 7017 (Daytime and Nighttime) on Site Visit during Seoul Case Study Program (Pictured).