Meeting the past, present and future of Incheon in one place
Compact·Smart City
Writer Lee Sun-yeong
Photographer Kim Seong-hwan
Opened August 5, 2009, Compact-Smart City is Korea’s first urban planning center, holding the past, present, and future of Incheon in one place. The center expressly implies the vision and goal of urban planning. Individual visits can be made freely without reservation. Group visits require online or phone reservation.
On the first floor are the 5D Theater, Ancient & Modern Exhibition Hall and Planned Exhibition Hall I. The 5D Theater features a three-dimensional animation titled ‘Exciting Time Travel to the Future of Incheon.’ With a length of about five minutes, this animation is shown on a 360-degree circular screen with actual wind, smoke, and water special effects.
The Ancient & Modern Exhibition Hall introduces the history of Incheon’s exploration from ancient times to the Joseon Dynasty, highlighting the city’s sea route. Set miniatures of the old weather station, mint, electric office, post office, and the opening site of water services are displayed. Using graphic panels and video clips, Planned Exhibition Hall I introduces major Korea’s urban policies. The hall also shows the vision of the city’s future through a grand experiential video.
Incheon Model Hall, Experiential Exhibition Hall, and Planned Exhibition Hall II are located on the second floor. Incheon Model Hall has a large image and interlinked models to explain urban infrastructure such as bridges, railways, roads, tunnels, and streams. On the floor, Yeongjong Grand Bridge, Incheon Bridge and Ganghwa Grand Bridge are introduced symbolically. Experiential Exhibition Hall is a participative exhibition hall where visitors can learn about the city and experience the cultural code of Incheon.
Using images and graphics, Planned Exhibition Hall II introduces major U-City policies promoted by the Korean government. Visitors can also experience U-City’s main services. Based on high-tech information & communication technologies, a network of urban space and facilities is developed to link objects, humans, and computers. With free access to the network anytime and from anywhere, U-City lets people receive information and intellectual services on education, traffic, environment, and medicine. Visitors of Planned Exhibition Hall II can experience the U-City urban environment.
The third floor has IFEZ Model Hall and the 4D Theater. IFEZ Model Hall introduces the IFEZ project to promote and attract investments. In the hall, the future city models of Songdo, Yeongjongdo, and Cheongna are on display. The 4D Theater shows a promotional video on IFEZ and its investment environment. On weekdays, the theater holds classes on humanities, and at 2 p.m. on Saturdays, it shows free movies to the first 100 visitors.
If you want to learn more about the past, present and future of Incheon, go to Compact- Smart City now! As you understand more about Incheon, you will take a step closer to the city.
Location : 238, Incheon tower-daero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon
Phone number : 032-850-6000
Admission : Free of charge
Opening hours : 10:00~18:00 (Tuesday~Sunday)
Visiting time : 30 minutes, one hour, or two hours
(customized visits also available)
Homepage : http://www.compactsmartcity.com
