| Title |
A Study on the Design Process and Principles of the Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5659/JAIK.2021.37.6.105 |
| Keywords |
Kim Il Sung Square; Pyongyang; Planning Process; Design Principles |
| Abstract |
Massive open space is one of the most noticeable traits of socialist urban planning. A large public square, located at the center of a city,
expresses a political ideology. In North Korea’s capital, the central square, named for the country’s founder, was placed between Namsanjae
Hill and the Daedong River, creating a strong axis for the city and linking green space to it. From 1951, when it was first conceived, the
plan of the square was continuously modified until 1982, when it attained its present form. Making use of rare documents from inside North
Korea, this article sheds light on the decision-making framework shared by its policy makers, politicians, and planners during the creation of
the square, and also uncovers the principles guiding North Korea’s postwar urban planning. |