The Influence of Early Government-Sponsored Housing on the Modernization of Korean Housing: from Post-Korean War to Late 1960S

International Journal of Human Ecology http://dx.doi.org/10.6115/ijhe.2012.13.1.147

NAM-IL JUN* Catholic University

SEHWA YANG** University of Ulsan

The Influence of Early Government-sponsored Housing on the Modernization of Korean Housing: From Post-Korean War to Late 1960s

The construction of government-sponsored housing in Korea of government-sponsored housing have become the began in the early 1950s. Beyond fulfilling the housing fundamental root of Korean housing since the war. shortage after the Korean War, it also impacted the development of housing in Korea. The aim of this study is to explore the construction and supply of government- The Korean society experienced significant transitions sponsored housing and to discuss the positive and negative following the Japanese Ruling period (1910-1945), influences on the modern housing in Korea. In order to Independence from the Japanese, and the Korean achieve the objectives, the pictures and floor plans, War. Since the majority of houses were destroyed newspaper articles and the KNHC publications, which led during the war, most housing constructions during the public housing supply from 1950 to 1960, were the immediate postwar days occurred as a measure examined. Results indicate as follows: First, government- sponsored housing industrialized the housing production, of public sector reformation. There was a stable which satisfied the volume need. The simplified floor plan supply of rescue homes due to foreign aid and and exterior, along with the western characteristics, created government support. The construction of govern- a new urban landscape. Second, the distinct characteristics ment-sponsored housing in Korea was started in of Korean housing were established. By emphasizing 1951, shortly after the Korean War began. In order development and financial practicality, large scale housing to restore destroyed homes and to react to the complexes were built with simplified, characterless, and increasing metropolitan population, the government, mechanical exteriors in a disconnected territory with public institutions and foreign aids expanded the neighbor district. Third, government-sponsored housing housing provision in public sector. During the war became the major accelerator to westernize the Korean from 1951 to 1953, a total of 82,658 units of refugee housing culture. In conclusion, the principles of functionalism camps, temporary housing, returned farmer housing, refugee homes, and so on were built, which †This work was supported by the Catholic University of Korea, comprised 38.4% of housing constructions (Lim, Research Fund 2011 2002). *Associate Professor, Department of Consumer and Housing, In Korea, government-sponsored housing can be The Catholic University of Korea, Korea ([email protected]) considered the first housing structure for the **Professor, Department of Housing and Interior Design, ordinary households that deviated from traditional University of Ulsan, Korea housing. The study focused on two aspects: social circumstances, which allowed the introduction of Key Words: Government-sponsored housing, Modernization, Mass production, Housing complex, Standardization government- sponsored housing and the adaptation

International Journal of Human Ecology 13 (June 2012): 147-157 148 International Journal of Human Ecology process of modern residential architecture in Korea. summarized as population increase and household Such housing was reinforced by the economic split followed by housing shortage (Table 1). Post development and modernization in the Korean war from 1953 to 1958, the population of Seoul society. The study also discussed the positive and increased by 73.8% and the number of households negative impacts of government-sponsored housing increased by 65.4%. Yet, housing supply increased by on housing culture in Korea from various a mere 46.4% causing a housing shortage of 38.6%. perspectives. According to Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG), The statistical and empirical data regarding by 1958, the number of households per housing unit housing situations after the Korean War are very was 1.6 indicating that many families shared a unit limited and not systemically organized. Also the with another family (SMG, 1995). housing situation from 1950s to 1960s is seldom After the Korean War, the former Korea National studied. Accordingly, the newspaper articles describing Housing Corporation (KNHC) led the reconstruction housing conditions at that time are major of the country supported by the Korea Development information sources of the study. Other sources are Bank (KDB), International Corporation Administra- pictures and floor plans appeared in Housing tion (ICA), and the United Nations Korean Complex Overview 1954-1970 published by the Reconstruction Agency (UNKRA). In 1953, the Korean National Housing Cooperation (KNHC, government established five year’s planning of 1979), which provided information of governmental reconstructing public facilities, one of which was for housing construction after the war. The major area housing. Emergency refugee housing were constructed of interest is Seoul in which government sponsored using foreign aid provided at no interest. For housing was most widely provided. The housing example, foreign construction materials were provided construction in public sector has drastically changed to harbors of Busan and Incheon to construct 2,000 from 1972 in which the 3rd 5 Year Economic housing units. This became the basis to plan the Development Plan began. Thus, this study focuses construction of government-sponsored housing in on the period from postwar to late 1960s. The major cities including 500 units of 49.5 m2 and 1,000 period shows transitional structure types for units of 33 m2 in Seoul (The Chosunilbo, 13 Sep. ordinary people as single-family housing progressed 1953). into multi-family housing. Furthermore, the public As the population of Seoul skyrocketed causing a sector deemed its significance in the urban housing major housing crisis, not only the KNHC, but KDB, transition in Korea during this era. the city of Seoul, other public organizations, financial institutions, and foreign aids began supplying new homes since 1955. The KNHC managed a group of The Beginning Of Government-sponsored housing, sizes 39.6 m2, 49.5 m2, 56.1 m2, and the Housing During The 1950s local governments constructed another group of housing divided by less than 26.4 m2, greater than Housing Policies after the War 2 2 26.4 m , or greater than 36.3 m (The Office of The housing situation in Seoul after the war can be Planning and Coordination, 1967). That is, the

Table 1. Population and number of housing stock in Seoul: 1953-1971

Year Population Number of households Housing stock Number of housing shortageHousing shortage rate (%) 1953 1,010,416 195,829 135,832 59,997 30.6 1958 1,756,406 323,894 198,877 125,017 38.6 1963 3,254,630 597,132 322,386 274,746 46.0 1968 4,334,973 837,362 506,810 320,552 38.3 Source: SMG (1995). The 600 Years History of Seoul vol. 5 (1945-1961). p.668; SMG (1969). Annual Statistics of Seoul. P.13 The Influence of Early Government-sponsored Housing on the Modernization of Korean Housing: From Post-Korean War to Late 1960s 149

Table 2. Government constructed housing ratio

Period Public sector Private sector Government constructed housing (%) 1951-1956 (6 years) 197,330 323,457 37.9 1957-1961 (5 years) 59,150 336,549 14.9 1962-1966 (5 years) 22,484 363,400 5.82 Source: The Office of Planning and Coordination (1967). The Assessment Report of the 1st 5-Year Economic Development national government provided housing with the KNHC, while the city of Seoul built municipal housing based on ICA aid. Government-sponsored housing can be categorized based on structure type, source of money, construction purpose, etc.: Rehabilitation House, Reconstruction House, Refugee House, Self-help House, Demonstration House, Common People’s House, ICA House, Hope House, etc.. Fig. 1. Welfare House in Mia-dong in 1956 From 1951 to 1956, the majority of nationwide (source: http://image.newsbank.co.kr). housing construction was based on direct governmental investment (Table 2). This was the (The Dong-A Ilbo, 27 Jun. 1956). However, such only case, when the government utilized national foreign aid ended in 1956 and the national home funds to construct housing directly, other than loan banks had to source the remaining funds (The public housing for low-income households in the Chosunilbo, 21 Dec. 1956). late 1980s (Lim, 2002). Furthermore, loans for Welfare House (Fig. 1) was constructed directly construction companies as well as actual consumers, by the city of Seoul and were relatively better such as middle or low income families, became conditioned among the houses built by UNKRA. available. Such abundance of funds allowed the These were approximately 29.7 m2 with two rooms, expansion of public and private sector constructions. living room, and a kitchen, mainly for middle- income families (The Dong-A Ilbo, 16 Sep. 1953). Types of Early Government-sponsored Housing The materials, such as clay bricks, cement, wood, At the beginning of government-sponsored housing roofing, and nails, were also supplied by UNKRA. In there were various names based on the source of 1955, 29 urban Welfare Houses were constructed. fund and construction purpose. Depending on the size, these can be classified into Reconstruction House was built and managed by type A (69.3 m2, 3 Ondol, the korean floor heating the government using UNKRA aided resources and system, rooms, bathroom, living room, kitchen, funds. In 1954, 49 units were completed in Anam- service room, toilet, balcony, entrance), type B dong and 618 units were competed in Jeongrung- (52.8 m2), and type C (39.6 m2) (The Chosunilbo, 29 dong. These were first provided to National Merit Dec. 1955). recipients (The Dong-A Ilbo, 16 Dec. 1954). In 1956, The sites and construction costs of so-called a total of 10,492 units were constructed, 85% of Hope House were paid by the residents and the which was built out of adobe bricks, simple roofing materials were provided by the KNHC. In 1954, a material, nails, Douglas-fir supplied by UNKRA. total of 1,500 units, including 387 units in Seoul, These were poorly built temporary housing with were planned to be built using the materials supplied wooden walls and floors for approximately 15m2 by UNKRA (The Chosunilbo, 4 May 1955). From with no heated floor. Payments were initially made 1954 to 1960, 225 units were built in Huikyung- in 3 year installments until it extended to 8 years dong, Hwegi-dong, Jeongrung-dong, and Hongje- 150 International Journal of Human Ecology dong (KNHC, 1979). In 1956, 303 units of 29.7 m2 plans were approved by the Ministry of Construction clay brick houses were built in Dapship-li on a lot and the construction company was chosen by the size of 132-165 m2. Hope Houses were built near the government (The Dong-A Ilbo, 10 Jan. 1957). Thus, suburban areas causing a transportation problem. the government was heavily involved in constructions Such inconvenience in transportation to the city of CPH. caused fewer households to be willing to move into these houses. In order to compensate for such problems, the former KNHC provided housing MASS PRODUCTION OF GOVERNMENT- subsidies to the inhabitants. Later on, along with SPONSORED HOUSING AFTER THE 1960S infrastructure constructions, the Hope House was Housing conditions of Seoul during the First 5 year more developed and provided to middle-income Economic Development Plan families from various areas in Seoul. Consequently, this became the foundation for the outskirt area In 1960 housing shortage rate reached its peak of development in Seoul. 48%. After 1960s housing constructions continued Rehabilitation House was provided based on to increase as part of the 5 Year Economic treasury bonds or housing loans and were allowed to Development Plan (1962-1967), however, the supply sell or rent. In 1955, President Sungman Lee ordered was still inadequate. In 1966 housing shortage rate the construction battalion to build the Rehabilitation was still 39%. (SMG, 1969) From 1966 to 1970, the House on 99,000 m2 each in Shindang-dong and population of Seoul increased by more than 400,000 Chungryang-ri. The Ministry of Finance and the each year, which is 76% of the entire nation’s Ministry of Construction provided the materials and population increase (SMG, 1996). The post-war the city of Seoul provided the site (The Dong-A Ilbo, baby boom period increased the birth rate and 19. Apr. 1955). A total of 600 units were built in growing nuclear families increased the number of Shindang-dong and Chungryang-ri using home households. loans from the Department of Housing and KDB, Due to limited housing site supplies in Seoul, and the Rehabilitation Housing Fund from the most government-sponsored housing was built in special budget in 1955 (The Chosunilbo, 26 Aug. the outer areas of Seoul along with large-scale site 1956). developments. Public transportations, such as public After the government’s direct involvement in buses, allowed the development in these outer areas, housing construction ended in 1957, government- which eventually expanded the size of Seoul. The sponsored housing were called the Common first new towns built in outer Seoul were Seogyo People’s House (CPH). In 1962, the Korea National district, 1,724,679 m2 from 1960 to 1967, and Housing Corporation (KNHC) re-established itself Dongdaemun district, 264,802 m2 from 1960 to and led the construction of CPH. Most houses were 1964, including residential areas of 1,106,388m2 and single-family detached or row houses. Detached 172,666 m2 respectively. In 1962, the Urban Planning houses were approximately 49.5 m2 on 132 m2 sized Act and the Land Expropriation Act were legislated lots and the row houses were 2 story buildings with 4 and the site development housing policies were units of 49.5 m2 sized homes. The CPH complexes in amended to differentiate from the Kyongsung City1 Bulgwang-dong and Galhyun-dong built in 1959 Planning Act under Japanese rule. Based on such and 1964 are most well-known. In Galhyun-dong, changes, massive site developments commenced the KNHC received home loans from the KDB and after the mid-1960s to improve land use efficiency, initiated the construction of 276 units of single- transportation, hygiene, and security. Especially the family detached houses on 138,600 m2, 130 units of Land Readjustment Project Act in 1966 became the PC-prefabricated houses, and 2 buildings of 6 unit turning point from small site developments of row houses (12 units in total) (The Chosunilbo, 12 Jun. 1964). Past records show that the construction 1Kyongsung was former name of Seoul under Japanese colonial rule The Influence of Early Government-sponsored Housing on the Modernization of Korean Housing: From Post-Korean War to Late 1960s 151 single-family detached housing to large scale of multi-family housing sites.

Mass Supply of Large Scale Housing Sites In a naturally developed old city structure, mass housing construction was impossible. The irregular site form and street structure made it difficult to duplicate the housing types. Thus, the main requirements for modern housing production system were housing site acquisition, grid road system development, creating typical shape of plots Fig. 2. Rehabilitation houses in Jangwee new housing and an uniform distribution in the site. district (source: KNHC(ed.), Housing Complex Overview The first large scale government-sponsored 1954-1970, Seoul, 1979. p.94.). housing complex was constructed in 1961 at Guro- dong. The 330,000 m2 site was initially a property of the military. It was provided at no cost to the city of Seoul and was developed using the land development fund and city budget. On 138,600 m2 of the site, a total of 2,300 households moved into 600 buildings of two-unit semi-detached houses and 275 Fig. 3. Common People’s House (CPH) in Galhyun-dong buildings of four-unit row houses. The record states (source: KNHC(ed.), Housing Complex Overview 1954- that “it was a miracle to complete the construction of 1970, Seoul, 1979. pictorial). such mass housing complex divided into 17 zones for 22 construction companies with 2,000 workers per day in 3 months” (SMG(1996). p.1003). It can be constructions (The Chosunilbo, 20 Oct. 1960).” “The implied that the most significant goal was to provide Ministry of Health and Society announced a 3 year a mass supply of housing in a short period of time. plan to supply 150,000 units of government-sponsored The size of the site developed gradually expanded. housing. The prospective residents are low-income Myunmok district 112,869 m2 (1963~1968), Suyu households (The Chosunilbo, 28 Mar. 1961).” “In district 136,686 m2 (1964~1969), Bulgwang district 1957, 532 units of government-sponsored housing 610,500 m2 (1964~1969) were all provided as were constructed in Jangwee new housing district, housing sites by the land readjustment project of then in 1965, the KNHC and the city of Seoul Seoul during the First Economic Development supplied an additional 680 units (The Chosunilbo, 3 Period. The newspaper articles from 1960 to 1960 Oct. 1965) (Fig. 2).” “In Suyu new housing district, show the government involvement in mass housing among 5,700 units that were built, approximately situation at that time. 1,000 units were modernized single-family detached “The government established a plan to build houses called Munhwa House, 70% of which was 150,000 units of government-sponsored housing in 3 provided by KNHC. The city of Seoul also announced years to eliminate run down shacks in Seoul and a plan to construct 5,000 units of Munhwa House Busan. National government and city properties, and (The Chosunilbo, 21 Sep. 1965).” “From 1962, in imperial office and administrative department Galhyun-dong, where KNHC created a new housing properties were used for the construction. The complex, a total of 623 units, including 473 units of housing types were consisted of rental apartments government-sponsored housing and 150 units of and smaller size single-family detached house for cooperative housing, were constructed in 4 years sale from 23.1 to 36.3 m2. The KNHC Act was (The Chosunilbo, 26 Sep. 1965) (Fig. 3).” established for practical and productive housing 152 International Journal of Human Ecology

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOVERNMENT- be fulfilled. Also the majority of the labor forces SPONSORED HOUSING were sent to industrial sites due to expedited industrialization. Thus, the labor cost in housing Adoption of Modern Construction Technology and construction continued to increase. Production System In the 1960s, new housing structure with new Korean traditional wooden houses, “Hanok”, were materials and construction methods were needed to consistently built after the war. The construction cope with the overpopulation in the city. As a result, methods were more productive due to the use of speedy provision of cheaper housing was assigned standardized materials. These types of houses were priorities and the housing construction got called modern Han-Ok, which adopted modern industrialized along with the materials, construction production methods partially and built in large methods, and technology (Fig. 4-b). quantities on newly developed housing sites (Fig. 4- For mass production of housing, the housing a). Post-war, housing constructions can be classified experts claimed for adopting new construction into such modern Han-Ok built by private builders technology such as prefabrication, new housing and western housing styles. However, the proportion structure development, local material use, and of these wooden houses in the housing market drops drying construction method (KNHC, 2002). to 37% in 1968 from 72% in 1961(SMC, 1967, 1969). Government-sponsored housing construction enabled Despite the public preference for modern Hanok, this claim to become true. In 1966, the number of due to the limitation on the dominant conventional cement-block houses increased, and then in 1968, handcrafted method, the housing demand could not the number of reinforced concrete structure houses increased. This was due to the limited wood supply caused by the deforestation prohibition. Furthermore, there was a preference for a more modernized cement and brick housing over wooden Han-Ok. In addition, more cement factories were formed increasing cement production as part of the First Economic Development Plan (Table 3). As the housing structure evolved from wooden post and lintel construction to masonry structure Fig. 4. Contrasting street view of Modern Han-Ok(a) in with adobe-brick, the demand for compatible floor downtown and Common People’s House (CPH) in subur- plans and spatial arrangements increased. Also, ban district Suyu-dong(b) (source: KNHC(ed.), Housing Complex Overview 1954-1970, Seoul, 1979. Pictorial(b)) wooden trusted gable roofs, which were popular until the early 1960s, were rapidly replaced by

Table 3. Number of Houses per Material in Seoul

Year Total Wood Brick or stone Cement-brick or block Adobe brick Reinforced concrete Other 1961 275,436 198,220 21,391 - 119,902 - 35,923 1962 306,289 200,295 34,312 - 127,441 - 44,241 1963 322,386 223,769 26,668 - 337,041 - 38,245 1964 331,133 211,496 32,713 - 144,015 - 42,909 1965 345,657 215,770 40,586 - 146,398 - 42,903 1966 361,943 190,512 21,417 178,030 142,217 17,739 22,028 1967 406,119 179,255 35,615 117,604 136,798 19,936 26,911 1968 516,810 191,719 52,920 172,969 136,589 20,149 42,464 Source: SMG( 1969). Annual Statistics of Seoul. p.168. The Influence of Early Government-sponsored Housing on the Modernization of Korean Housing: From Post-Korean War to Late 1960s 153 modern slate gable roof, which presented rationality through the straight line and simplified details instead of the gentle curve of tile roofing and the aesthetic of a rafter.

Simplification of Urban Structure The general characteristics of government- sponsored housing sites were rigid street systems, uniform block organization and plot arrangements to emphasize the functionality and economic efficiency of mass structure of housing complex. The arrangements and access system of building could not have various forms, because individual units had to select a standardized floor plan. Most of the access roads to individual lot were evenly distributed from the main street showing a clear hierarchy. The Reconstruction House, which was formed at Fig. 5. Site plan of Reconstruction House complex in Bulgwang-dong in 1956, is the representative case of Bulgwang-dong with grid street system (source: government-sponsored housing complex in Korea KNHC(ed.), Housing Complex Overview 1954-1970, Seoul, after the war with 171 units on 11 blocks of 1979. p.21.). approximately 31,904 m2. The main street with a 12m width divided the complex in four, and 6m and courtyard, whereas western style housing were more 4m access roads were derived from this main street outward with the building on one side and the rest leading to each unit. Each unit was accessible from being used as open space. This improved the the side of the housing plot and the southern part of physical circumstances of a house by improving the the plot was left as an open space (Fig. 5). lighting, but moreover, the traditional residential The Common People’s Housing complex (1960- district was completely changed. Government- 1961) in Wooeui-dong was constructed by the sponsored housing was often built in a semi-detached largest site development project at that time for 392 duplex structure with two 2 story buildings. By units on 151,800 m2. The complex was comprised of sharing the wall with the neighbor in a single-family 32 rectangular blocks and each block was accessible housing structure, the land efficiency and collectivity through the grid-system road. The main road (12 m of units improved. Such changes led to the width) was placed in the center of the complex. Also, development of collective multifamily housing. access roads (4 m and 6 m width) were evenly Government-Sponsored Housing as Standardized distributed to form a hierarchy of the road system. Housing – ‘The Minimum for Existence’ Most plots were rectangular shaped. The blocks divided by the formal road system had same shapes The Korean society experienced vast industriali- and orientations. zation in the 1950s and 1960s causing a family The building arrangement in the plot shared the structure shift from extended to nuclear among the same structure. Also, the outdoor space from the younger population that migrated to the city from street to the front door was minimized and the the rural areas. Thus, urban housing required an southern part of the lot was secured for the private adequate floor plan for such families. Government- open space. Such arrangement was clearly unique sponsored housing in the 1950s was smaller in size compared to modern Han-Oks, which were and for ‘The Minimum for Existence’, which only commonly built at that time. Modern Hanoks had required the basic features for survival. For example, an introvert characteristic surrounding the houses called city type A and B were only 19.8 to 154 International Journal of Human Ecology

housing plan were necessary. Standard housing structures were distributed to the main cities in Korea. The urban standard housing can be divided into government managed standard housing by KNHC since 1954 and institutional standard housing by the ICA system since 1958. ICA standard housing were developed and distributed by the design team of KDB with more than 100 varieties of standard housing floor plans. The purposes of urban standard housing were the rationality of planning, structure, and materials, and mass construction and production. The floor plans had a couple of significant design points. First, to satisfy the urgent goal of housing reconstruction, standardization of materials for duplicate constructions was necessary. Also, the layout of floor plan was a compact rectangular shape for economic material use.

Fig. 6. Floor plan for ‘The Minimum for Existence’: ‘−’ Accepting Modern Life Style – ‘Ideal Home for Nuclear shaped floor plan(a) and 田-shaped floor plan(b) of 2 Families’ 29.7 m (source: KNHC(ed.), Housing Complex Overview 1954-1970, Seoul, 1979. p.187; p.188) The number of nuclear families increased rapidly after the 1960s during urbanization. The main 23.1 m2. Government-sponsored housing built by reason was the increase in social and geographic KNHC was typically 29.7 m2, which was 50% greater mobility to accommodate new occupations and than the UN’s minimum living area requirement of education systems. Furthermore, the household sizes 19.8m2 (KNHC, 1992). The minimal size housing were reduced. The extended families with 3 or more shared the ‘—’ shaped floor plan as the basic form generations decreased 26.9% in 1960 to 22.1% in with two bedrooms and a kitchen. (Fig. 6-a) The 1970. Also the average household size decreased 5.56 living room was less than 6.6m2 that it was mostly in 1960 to 5.24 in 1970(Statistics Korea, 1999). used as a hallway. If the ‘—’ shaped floor plans The terminology, ‘Munhwa (Culture) House’, adhered to the traditional spatial construction, shows the awareness of younger middle class theÔ£-shaped floor plans portrayed a compact families, who demanded a more convenient and spatial arrangement. (Fig. 6-b) efficient life style in the new home. The residents of It was the government’s main task and apparent such houses were the first to adapt to the modern goal to “eliminate conventional poor housing and living style. The President Lee Sungman also expand the supply of standard housing. (KNHC, emphasized the construction of these houses to 2001)” improve the living conditions with no thatched Since the Japanese Ruling period, it was houses near the cities (The Chosounilbo, 16 Jun. perceived that the Korean conventional housing, 1954). In order to do so, it was critical for a hygiene Han-Ok, was uncomfortable and unhygienic with emphasized plan with a renovation of the toilet and inadequate lighting and ventilation. The ideal kitchen (The Chosunilbo, 23 Mar. 1957). Also, the housing during modernization was to abandon the housing facilities, such as the heating system, had to Han-Ok and seek a more comfortable life style. be improved in the limited small space of CPH. The Thus, architectural strategies to mass supply a kitchen was modernized by renovating the completely different floor plan from conventional conventional floor heating system and by reducing The Influence of Early Government-sponsored Housing on the Modernization of Korean Housing: From Post-Korean War to Late 1960s 155

In Galhyun-dong, which was a new housing district in Seoul, 623 units of CPH were built in 4 years starting in 1962. Most of the residents were the families headed by salaried worker or newly married couples (The Chosunilbo, 26 Sep. 1965). The Common People’s House (CPH), which was supplied after the 1960s for middle income families, expanded to 49.5 to 59.4 m2. Such practical and functional layout of government-sponsored housing became the ideal housing for nuclear families, and the improved facilities also attracted them. The typical floor plan comprised of a wooden floor living room, with three surrounding bedrooms, which was adequate for nuclear families with 5 members. (Fig. 7-b).

MEANING OF GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED Fig. 7. The Common People’s House for middle income HOUSING IN HOUSING MODERNIZATION families: promotional picture of KNHC(a) and floor plan 2 IN KOREA of 49.5m unit in Suyu-dong(b) (source: KNHC(ed.), Housing Complex Overview 1954-1970, Seoul, 1979. pictorial;p.254.). The construction of government-sponsored housing after the Korean War had a great impact on housing planning and construction and furthermore, a the level difference between the kitchen and the significant meaning in the history of Korean floor. This also improved the moving circulation of housing. the housewife and eased the difficulty of housework First of all, government-sponsored housing chores. In order to successfully introduce the new became the catalyst to accelerate housing style to the people, it was important to get the constructions in Korea. There was an urgent need support of the housewives, who were the main for mass housing supplies to react to the vast driving force of the nuclear families. Also, the toilets, population increase and urbanization with most of which were typically placed outside of the living the city infrastructure being destroyed. Although the area, were moved inside. number of government- sponsored housing built at Government-sponsored housing adopted the the time was insufficient to fulfill the housing modern housing design paradigm for housing demand, it became the accelerator of private sector improvement and better quality of life. Especially the housing construction in the future. Such phenomenon standard housing after 1958 were planned by Korean played a major role in providing mass quantity elites, who received western education from various housing supplies, especially by industrializing housing countries, and introduced new floors plans to lead production instead of handcrafted production the Korean housing culture. The western life style methods. Simplified floor plans and appearance quickly spread amongst elites with higher education were crucial for efficient constructions. Modern levels. As many Koreans perceived this as a more housing characteristics, such as gable roof and box ‘civilized’ or ‘advanced’ culture, CPH changed its shape, were completely different from the appearance nomenclature to ‘Munhwa House’, meaning moder- of a Hanok and created a new cityscape. nized western style housing. (Fig. 7-a) The living in Second, government-sponsored housing became such home was considered more improved compared the precedent of a typical housing complex, called to that in the conventional housing (SMG, 1995). “Danzi (complex)”. Especially since the Urban 156 International Journal of Human Ecology

Planning Act in the early 1960, mass development room, generally situated in the middle of the entire plans were accelerated, causing most constructions residential space, was regarded as the most in the public sector to be in mass quantities. The important space for family togetherness. Such private sector was also impacted that economic planning principle of government-sponsored housing, efficiency became the main priority of Korean standardizing floor plans, shows an efficient space housing construction developments. Such pheno- organization and led the changes described above menon created a simplified and mechanical and became the basis of the current apartment floor landscape with no identity, which was opposite from plan layouts. the existing housing districts that developed organically. The concept of ‘Danzi’ in Korea continues today providing an independent territory CONCLUSION that deviates from the urban context. It can be inferred that such concept derived from government- As studied above, government-sponsored housing sponsored housing. became a stepping stone of the Korean housing Third, the special circumstances after the war development. On the one hand the mass production also required restorations of many housing in Korea resolved the housing shortage problem after the war that most were led by the government. The and during the economic prosperous period since government and public organizations imposed on then. That is positive distribution to the housing the private sphere of housing and influenced the development in Korea. However, the collective usage and selection of housing. Such intervention housing-oriented housing supply resulted in provided the minimal physical environment to standardized housing sites, which are considered as sustain the living during the period with a serious negative aspect, on the other hand. Government- housing shortage. The housing floor plans at that sponsored housing was mostly single-family detached time were ‘universal’ that anyone could reside in dwellings, but from a production point of view, it these homes if only the social level of households can be referred as a collective housing development, was set. The living areas were standardized to fit an Therefore, the simple floor plan and appearance that average inhabitant that most people accepted the enabled efficient constructions conversely created a typical living style. Such aspect was shown in most boring and monotonous housing environment. housing that appeared during the same time period. Overall, the concept of complex of government- Furthermore, divided floor plans per average sponsored housing had a significant impact on the dimensions and standardized materials for the housing construction trends in Korea. The Korean constructional execution enabled the duplication of cities get locked in an artificial environment with housing units. apartment complexes derived from rapid develop- Fourth, government-sponsored housing caused a ment and economic efficiencies. Forming a super transition to western housing structures. Since the massive complex and separating the territory introduction of government-sponsored housing, the became the typical method of housing development method of spatial arrangement of traditional in Korea. The new housing district did not merge housing disappeared, while the spatial zoning by with the existing city, but became an isolated or new functions for western living style became more housing district. Therefore, the internal architectural popular. They emphasized the convenience of living elements and the residents show homogeneity, but and elimination of unproductive and inefficient were differentiated externally. traditional Korean housing. Especially kitchen In conclusion, government-sponsored housing improvement, introduction of the family shared after the Korea War provided the basis of the current living room, separation of the bedroom and living housing culture in Korea. This is very different from room, and connection of the kitchen and living the situations in other European countries. Europe room enabled such transitions. Above all, the living also experienced mass housing constructions after The Influence of Early Government-sponsored Housing on the Modernization of Korean Housing: From Post-Korean War to Late 1960s 157 the many wars it encountered. However, due to (1996). Statistics of Damages in the Korean War, Seoul. many criticisms against the negative aspects, such KNHC (ed.) (1963). Housing, 10;13. Seoul design concepts were substituted with other KNHC (ed.) (1979). Housing Complex Overview 1954- strategies. On the other hand, this could not be the 1970. Seoul case in Korea due to the strong principle of KNHC (ed.). Report on Technological Changes in Apart- functionalism on the housing architecture in Korea. ment Production in South Korea, publish year The government-sponsored housing complex unknown development accelerated even more after the war Seoul Metropolitan Government (ed.) (1995). The 600 and functionalism became the main principle that Years of History of Seoul (1945-1961). Seoul guides housing constructions even now. Seoul Metropolitan Government (ed.) (1963; 1967; 1969). Annual Statistics of Seoul. Seoul REFERENCES The Office of Planning & Coordination (1967). The Assessment Report of the 1st 5-Year Economic Devel- Jun, N. I. et al. (2008). Social History of Korean Hous- opment Plan. Seoul ing. Paju : Dolbaegae. Donga-ilbo, 16 Sep. 1953; 16 Dec. 1954; 19 Apr. 1955; 4 Jun, N. I. (2010). Architectural History of Korean Hous- May. 1955; 27 Jun. 1956; 10 Jan. 1957 ing. Paju: Dolbaegae. Chosun-ilbo, 10 Oct. 1951; 13 Sep. 1953; 16 Jun. 1954; Lim, S. H. (2002). The 50 Years of Housing Policy. 29 Dec. 1955; 9 May. 1956; 26 Aug. 1956; 21 Dec. KNHC: Seoul. 1956; 23 Mar. 1957; 20 Oct. 1960; 17 Nov. 1960; 28 Moon, S. H. et al. (2004). A study on changing pro- Mar. 1961; 12 Jun. 1964; 14 Apr. 1965; 21 Sep. 1965; cess of public housing through the actual life con- 26 Sep. 1965; 28 Sep. 1965; 3 Oct. 1965 dition investigation. Proceeding of Autumn Annual http://www.kia.or.kr Conference of Architectural Institute of Korea, 24(2), http://huri.jugong.co.kr 119-122. http://image.newsbank.co.kr Son, J. M. (2003). Seoul’s Urban Planning: 50 Years of Received April 30, 2012 Ups and Downs and My Retrospect 1, Seoul. Paju: Revised May 21, 2012 Hanul. Accepted May 22, 2012 Institute for National Defense and Military Affairs