Development of transport planning in Seoul and South Korea: a historical overview from a SUMP perspective

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of historic transport development and evaluates transport planning in Seoul and South Korea. The first part illustrates when various transportation means have been introduced from the end of the 19th century through the 2020s. During this period, South Korea had three historical distinct time phases. Each governing system adopted different strategies to achieve its transport sector goals. The second section analyzes long-term transport plans, examining the relationships between transport-related plans and highlighting shifts in objectives and key actors. These changes reflect the main goal in each phase of the transport sector and the ongoing challenge of sustainability. The final section evaluates recent transport planning through the framework of Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning (SUMP), focusing on the stages in which the public has had the opportunities to participate. The assessment demonstrates the potential improvements in public participation for future sustainable transport planning.