Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, second from right on stage, talks during a discussion held at the 2024 International Garden Symposium at Seoul City Hall, Friday. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

The Seoul Metropolitan Government hosted the 2024 International Garden Symposium on Friday, focusing on the role and importance of urban gardens in combating the escalating climate crisis, a suspected source of extreme weather conditions like the recent unprecedented heat wave.

Held under the themes of "Resilience with Gardens" and "Gardens for All," the event brought together around 300 participants, including six leading domestic and international experts, as well as officials from related organizations.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon outlined his ambitious vision to transform the city into a vast urban garden. In his opening remarks, Oh emphasized that expanding green spaces is crucial to tackling the growing climate crisis.

"My goal is to make Seoul one huge garden, and in the next seven to eight years, you will witness a transformed city with significantly more green spaces," he said, noting that the city's ongoing garden city project is just the beginning.

Oh also highlighted that creating more walkable environments through gardens is key to reducing carbon emissions.

"If we integrate gardens across the city to make it more walkable, people will rely less on personal vehicles, which will help reduce carbon emissions," he said.

In line with this, he explained Seoul's urban plan to convert low-rise areas into public green spaces by loosening floor ratio restrictions for redevelopment projects.

In addition, Oh introduced several of the city's related initiatives, such as the Climate Card unlimited public transit pass, the Ttareungyi bike-sharing program and Wrist Doctor 9988, a personalized health management app launched by the city government.

Through showcasing various initiatives, he stressed that the garden city project must be approached from multiple angles, incorporating urban planning, climate action and public policy.

He also emphasized that the ultimate goal is to create a city where people choose to walk while addressing the climate crisis through a multifaceted and comprehensive approach.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon delivers opening remarks during the 2024 International Garden Symposium at Seoul City Hall, Friday. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

Presenters from overseas shared insights on integrating gardens into urban landscapes, offering case studies from their respective countries.

Robert Hammond, CEO of Therme Group US, underscored the importance of blending urban infrastructure with nature, using New York City's High Line Park as an example. The project transformed an abandoned elevated railway into an iconic city park, now attracting 8 million visitors annually.

Hammond explained that beyond environmental restoration, integrating infrastructure with nature fosters social and cultural benefits. The High Line, he noted, serves as a vital community space that brings people together, emphasizing the role such spaces play in enhancing urban life.

Mah Bow Tan, former national development minister of Singapore and current president of Therme Group Asia, emphasized the importance of water resources alongside green spaces.

Citing Singapore's Gardens by the Bay as an example — a project he spearheaded during his time as minister — he explained how Singapore leverages gardens for practical purposes such as drainage in a city affected by squalls and seasonal winds.

He noted that in the face of the climate crisis, urban gardens must serve both aesthetic and functional roles to help cities adapt to environmental challenges.

The Butterfly Effect Garden, located in Ttukseom Hangang Park in Seoul's Gwangjin District / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

'Long-term sustainability is urban garden's key'

Cassian Schmidt, an international garden designer and landscape architect who lectures at the University of Geisenheim, stressed the importance of integrating plants into urban landscapes not only for environmental benefits but also for fostering community ties.

Cassian Schmidt, an international garden designer and landscape architect

He shared planting ideas for creating green spaces and gardens in future cities, drawing on examples from Germany in his presentation.

During an interview with The Korea Times following the International Garden Symposium, Schmidt highlighted the vital role urban gardens play in cooling cities and enhancing biodiversity.

"One of the most significant benefits of urban gardens is their potential to increase biodiversity," he said.

He said these spaces should incorporate a diverse mix of native and non-native plants to build resilient urban ecosystems.

Schmidt referred to past initiatives such as Germany's "1,000 Gardens and 1,000 Plants" program, which sought to boost biodiversity by focusing primarily on native species. However, he noted that current approaches have evolved.

"From my perspective, it's not necessary to focus solely on native plants. To truly increase biodiversity and introduce more species, it's crucial to use plants from different parts of the world, including Eastern Asia, Korea and Japan," he explained.

"German gardens today increasingly incorporate a wide variety of global species."

In terms of biodiversity, Schmidt highlighted a shift in focus — from simply increasing the number of plant species to enhancing genetic diversity within urban gardens. He said that it is important to create robust ecosystems that can thrive in cities facing environmental challenges.

In addition to their environmental role, Schmidt also emphasized the social value of urban gardens, introducing the concept of "community gardens" as a way of fostering interaction and integration.

"Community gardens can help integrate immigrants by allowing them to share their gardening traditions, creating social bonds and encouraging interaction," he said.

He also discussed the "edible city" concept in Germany, where communities or cities use available land to grow fruit and vegetables. This not only promotes urban food production but also enhances social cohesion by involving residents in collective gardening efforts.

"It's an old concept, but in my opinion, it's an effective way to bring people together through plants and food," Schmidt said.

Schmidt said that while urban gardens provide significant benefits, their success hinges on strong political commitment and government support. He urged cities to prioritize creating and maintaining green spaces, especially in densely populated metropolitan areas.

He also pointed out the importance of integrating water management solutions, such as linear parks and drainage systems, into urban gardens, making them essential elements of sustainable urban planning.

"Green spaces should not be seen as mere aesthetic additions but as crucial infrastructure for the future of our cities," Schmidt said.

Meanwhile, he warned that, without well-trained staff and long-term planning, many urban gardening projects are likely to fail. Expert guidance and oversight are essential to their success, he noted.

"To ensure the sustainability of urban gardens, cities need a coordinated government effort, possibly through establishing a dedicated department or office," he said.

Such offices would be responsible for managing and maintaining green spaces over time, ensuring they remain vibrant and accessible.

"With the right political backing and strategic planning, green spaces can pave the way for more sustainable and inclusive urban living," Schmidt said.