Urban settings are rich with dynamic interstitial spaces, often seen as both a challenge for developers and an opportunity for urbanists. These areas, public by virtue of their use, embody collectivism within urban environments. The essence of these intermediate spaces reveals the complex, non-linear nature of urban life, defying the traditional, linear 'logical' and 'rational' frameworks used to define city systems. Contemporary urban development strategies, which often favor more structured and planned spaces, fail to appreciate the complexity and vitality of informal or organically developed areas. This oversight not only stigmatizes 'unplanned' settlements but also overlooks the nuanced understanding of local narratives and scales. 

There's an urgent need to approach urban integration and sustainable growth with a deep appreciation for the local scale, recognizing how its intrinsic functions contribute to the city's overall character. I argue that the unique qualities of these spaces should be central to urban design decisions, viewed through a lens that marries socioeconomic considerations with infrastructural insights for a holistic understanding of urban dynamics. Viewing each neighborhood as a distinct and integral part of the city's ecosystem highlights its crucial role in the collective urban growth. 

From the community-driven Golmok alleys in Seoul to the bustling, sunken plaza of the Centre Pompidou, cities offer their inhabitants a myriad of ways to engage with their environment, essentially providing a blank canvas for personal expression. In contrast to today’s trend of meticulously designed and highly controlled urban spaces, I find beauty and authenticity in the spontaneous, the imperfect, and the lived-in – the graffiti-adorned walls, the cracked pavements, and the makeshift repairs all tell the story of a space truly embraced by its community. To me, a pristine white wall symbolizes sterility and a lack of human connection. In stripping away the personal, we risk reducing our cities to lifeless husks.

On a smaller scale, communities mirror individuals with shared interests, while on a larger scale, cities represent a collective of these communities, each offering a wealth of opportunities through its unique material and cultural fabric. I believe that urbanism, in practice and design, should embody this dynamic, fostering collaborative strategies that build resilient, inclusive environments. These approaches prioritize understanding the unique stories, perspectives, and daily experiences of city dwellers, valuing their collective engagement with urban spaces.

The opportunity to reinterpret the city's roles, its mechanisms of production, and its potential for a shared future ignites my passion both as a designer and an urban dweller. I am excited by the prospect of contributing to a vision of the city as a cohabitable, inclusive environment, where every space is valued for its unique contribution to the urban tapestry.

Leveraging my background in architecutre, urbanism, and engineering, I am now keen to deepen my exploration of urban environments through a comprehensive design approach, seeing civil infrastructures as catalysts for fostering socially vibrant urban living spaces. My journey through personal experiences, academic research, and professional practice has taught me the fallacy of the notion that there’s a single “ideal” way to live. The conventional approach to architecture, with its often prescriptive assumptions about lifestyle, fails to accommodate the diversity of human needs and aspirations. This realization prompts me to challenge traditional perceptions of urban living, advocating for a more flexible interpretation that recognizes the inherent versatility of urban spaces.

As an urban enthusiast and designer, I am committed to participating in and contributing to the discourse on urban development, eager to engage with peers, challenge conventional ideas, and refine my understanding through a rigorous, holistic analysis of urban landscapes.