Seoul, the bustling capital of South Korea, is a city uniquely shaped by its natural environment. Enclosed by mountains like Bukhansan, Namsan, and Gwanaksan, and intersected by the expansive Han River, the city’s geography profoundly influences its layout and the daily lives of its residents. Unlike sprawling cities built on flat plains, Seoul balances its modern urbanization with a terrain that presents opportunities and challenges. The city's development has been a story of adaptation—of working with the natural landscape rather than against it. This field note examines how Seoul's geography impacts its residents’ daily routines, the benefits it offers, and the strategies they have developed to overcome its limitations.
Seoul’s environment is strikingly distinctive due to its mountainous backdrop and the river that divides it into northern and southern halves. The mountains are not just scenery but central to the city’s identity and provide natural boundaries that influence urban planning. Unlike many capitals, where land is relatively flat and expansive, Seoul's terrain demands vertical construction, giving rise to dense clusters of high-rise apartments and office towers.
