[The Future of Parks⑫] Rooftop Gardens: Urban Oases as a Solution to the Climate Crisis

Sejong Center Rooftop to Open to the Public for the First Time in 48 Years

Two-Story Structure with Garden and Rest Area to Be Built at Cheongnyangni Market

Seoul Has Invested KRW 77 Billion in Rooftop Garden Projects Since 2002

On the rooftop of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul on the 29th of last month, the view of Gwanghwamun Square and Gyeongbokgung Palace was captured. The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to begin construction of the rooftop garden at the Sejong Center next month and open it to the public by the end of December. Photo by Kyungdo Lee

After 48 years as a "forbidden zone," preparations are now underway to transform the rooftop of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts into a rest area and garden for citizens and tourists. From the end of this year, the rooftop will be open to the public at all times, offering panoramic views of Gyeongbokgung Palace, Cheong Wa Dae, and Bugaksan. In line with Seoul’s nighttime economy revitalization plan, the facility will be open until 11 p.m.

On July 29, The Asia Business Daily visited the rooftop of the Grand Theater at the Sejong Center together with officials from the Seoul Metropolitan Government. This hidden space, accessed only by certain maintenance staff, has never been open to the general public in its 48-year history since the center opened. The rooftop garden project began in earnest when Mayor Oh Se-hoon of Seoul proposed in February last year, "Let's create an open space for citizens." A design competition was held in October last year, with a winning entry selected, and after a landscape review, construction permits for the rooftop garden and external elevator were granted this July.

The rooftop garden will be reborn as an open space that any citizen can freely enjoy. It will be arranged as a 1,100-square-meter space—including landscaping and a viewing deck—on the entire 1,725-square-meter rooftop, and will feature a café and public restroom. An external elevator, located near Exits 1 and 8 of Gwanghwamun Station, will improve accessibility. Anyone, regardless of whether they are attending a performance or exhibition, will be able to use the direct elevator to reach the garden. However, considering the maximum load, occupancy will be limited to around 200 people. Safety will be enforced by glass barriers and the constant presence of security staff.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government aims to begin construction of the rooftop garden next month and open it by the end of December. With a total budget of 3.6 billion won, the project has been designed to minimize alterations to features like the eaves of the building and to harmonize with the surrounding cityscape. Chung Ah-sun, director of Seoul’s Public Architecture Team 2, explained, "The city is like a theater, and the rooftop garden will serve as the audience seats looking out onto the city," adding, "We reinterpreted the space as an 'open theater' that presents a variety of urban scenery."

In order to ensure a safe rooftop garden, Seoul city has carefully reviewed structural safety with expert consultation. The flooring will be waterproofed to prevent leaks, and lightweight soil and year-round perennial plants will be used to minimize the load. Gentle slopes will be paved to accommodate wheelchair users and parents with strollers. In line with the nighttime economy plan, the rooftop will remain open until 11 p.m. to allow visitors to enjoy the night views of the city. The venue boasts such excellent views that it was used by the video production team during BTS’s Gwanghwamun Square performance in March this year.

An 8-meter-high eco-platform to be built at Cheongnyangni General Market in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. A three-dimensional pedestrian walkway connecting the rooftops of surrounding buildings will be created, featuring a garden and event zones. Provided by Dongdaemun-gu.

◆A rooftop garden at Cheongnyangni Market as well... 22.4 billion won invested by the city= Rooftop gardens are also being utilized to improve the environment in aging traditional markets. As part of a project to create design-innovative traditional markets, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will invest a total of 22.4 billion won in Cheongnyangni General Market in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. The project will install a two-story eco-platform at the center of the market and create a three-dimensional pedestrian walkway connecting the rooftops of neighboring buildings.

This area will include a garden, event zones, restrooms, and spaces where visitors can relax and stay. In a 2024 survey among traditional market merchants around Cheongnyangni, expanding rest areas, public restrooms, and parking lots emerged as urgent tasks. An official from Dongdaemun-gu noted, "The competitiveness of traditional markets has been weakened by large discount stores and online delivery platforms," adding, "We initiated this project to develop new strategies for market revitalization."

The project was approved with conditional consent after a review by the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Investment Committee in May. It will proceed alongside the project to build a parking lot for traditional markets in the Cheongnyangni area, with construction scheduled to start in the second half of 2028. The new structure, measuring 166 meters long and 8 meters high, will provide much-needed rest and convenience facilities, and is also expected to attract foreign visitors as a new local landmark. Cheongnyangni General Market has an average daily floating population of 80,000, with 138 stores and 465 merchants operating in the market.

◆Rooftop greening projects since 2002... Equivalent to 47 soccer fields created= Since 2002, Seoul has pursued rooftop garden projects for both public and private buildings. This initiative utilizes otherwise unused rooftop spaces to increase the city’s green spaces and respond to climate change, such as the urban heat island effect. As of last year, the city invested a total of 77 billion won, creating 333,128 square meters of rooftop green space—the equivalent of 47 soccer fields.

In the early years, the city’s focus was on developing greening techniques suited to Seoul’s climate, with resident-participation rooftop vegetable gardens also being trialed in 2013. Since 2024, the focus has shifted from simply increasing green areas to providing outdoor relaxation spaces for citizens and venues for various lifestyle activities.

Each July, the city accepts applications from local districts that wish to participate and selects target sites, considering structural safety, public access plans, and accessibility. Currently, rooftop garden projects are underway at Hangang Elementary School in Yongsan-gu and at Garden Five Life in Songpa-gu following this procedure. District offices are in the design stage, with construction to be completed by November after design finalization.

For private buildings, up to 70% of project costs are subsidized by the city. For instance, the rooftop garden at Garden Five Life—covering 6,000 square meters—will receive 330 million won in city funding. After completion, building owners are responsible for maintenance, while the Seoul Metropolitan Government provides continuous monitoring. A city official stated, "Without regular and sustained maintenance, the risk of failure is high," adding, "We ask managers to ensure active maintenance."

◆Reducing energy use and storing rainwater... Rooftop gardens as solutions to urban environmental problems= Rooftop gardens provide not only visual appeal but also significant ecological and environmental benefits. They reduce the urban heat island effect and help cut building heating and cooling energy usage. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s monitoring of 67 rooftop gardens in July and August last year, temperatures on greened rooftops averaged 5.3 degrees Celsius lower and humidity was 19.4% higher than in non-greened areas, thereby creating a more pleasant environment.

Rooftop greening also helps store rainwater, thus reducing the risk of flooding. According to the Seoul Institute, a 100-square-meter rooftop greened to a depth of 10 centimeters can store 200 liters of rainwater. Additionally, buildings with rooftop greening systems see an average reduction in energy use of 12–15%, with air conditioning savings averaging 37% and heating savings averaging 15.9%.

The ability of plants to absorb carbon is also noteworthy. According to a survey by the Rural Development Administration, a 200-square-meter rooftop garden planted with species such as peppermint, wild chrysanthemum, and yellow iris—which have high carbon absorption rates—can absorb 600 kilograms of carbon annually. The Seoul Metropolitan Government is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050, targeting zero net emissions by cutting greenhouse gas emissions and increasing absorption. Plans include a 40% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030 and a 50% reduction by 2033, compared to 2005 levels. Since it is difficult to secure green space on the ground, converting rooftops into green areas is becoming increasingly important. This is all the more critical because emissions from buildings account for 67% of Seoul’s greenhouse gas emissions, making reduction measures for buildings themselves essential.

An official from the Seoul Metropolitan Government stated, "We will continue to promote rooftop greening projects that enable people to enjoy gardens close to everyday life," adding, "We aim to provide citizens with green space in their daily lives and establish a sustainable green infrastructure so the city can effectively confront the climate crisis."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.