SDIF, : Illuminating the Future of Global Cities through the Philosophy of the “Soft City”
- Seoul Design International Forum to be held on Friday, September 19, under the theme “Designing a Better Global Life”
- Mayor Oh Se-hoon to hold a special discussion on “Soft City” with Helle Søholt, CEO&Founding Partner of GEHL, and Uwe Cremering, CEO of iF International Forum Design GmbH
- Experts present strategies for urban identity and sustainability, reaffirming Seoul’s global potential as a design city
- Citizens participate in the “Design Manifesto,” shaping the forum as a public arena for Seoul’s design future
The 2025 Seoul Design International Forum was held on Friday, September 19, at 1:00 p.m. in
the Multipurpose Hall on the 8th floor of Seoul City Hall. Now in its 6th year, the forum has explored the
social role of design under the theme “Design Changes the City,” together with leading domestic and
international speakers. This year’s theme was “Attractive City of Seoul: Designing a Better Global Life.”
The discussions delved deeply into how design can enhance citizens’ quality of life and help Seoul evolve into an attractive and sustainable global city.
The keynote session was delivered by Helle Søholt, CEO & Founding Partner of GEHL, a world-renowned urban strategy and design consulting firm known for its people-centered urban design philosophy. Her keynote, titled “Designing Cities for People and Planet: From Vision to Impacct,” emphasized how design can serve as the foundation for building an attractive future Seoul. As the CEO & Founding Partner of GEHL, Søholt has led numerous human-centered projects in major cities around the world, including Market Street in San Francisco, the Huangpu Waterfront in Shanghai, and George Street in Sydney. Copenhagen’s recognition by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) as the world’s most livable city in 2025 stems from Jan Gehl’s philosophy of “cities for people,” which is also well known in Korea. In her presentation, Søholt connected Jan Gehl’s vision with the “Soft City” strategy, highlighting design’s vital role in making Seoul more attractive and livable.
Following the keynote, Mayor or Seoul, Oh Se-hoon joined Helle Søholt and Uwe Cremering, CEO of iF
International Forum Design GmbH, for a special discussion on “Soft City and Global Design Seoul.”
They discussed strategies for Seoul’s advancement as a global city from the perspective of a “Soft City.”
<Session 1: Global Leadership through Design Collaboration>
Session 1 explored practical ways to strengthen design leadership through global partnerships and
collaboration. ▲Uwe Cremering, CEO of iF International Forum Design GmbH, presented “Designing Trust:
How the iF Design Award Shapes Global Design Culture,” ▲Sharon So, Director of Corporate Affairs, Engagement & Sustainability at L’Oréal Korea, gave a talk
titled “L’Oréal: Collaborative Design for Sustainability.”
Uwe Cremering, who leads one of the world’s most prestigious design awards, discussed how the iF Design Award has fostered global design culture based on trust and international cooperation, suggesting strategies for Seoul to rise as a global design hub.
Sharon So shared L’Oréal’s efforts to embody corporate social responsibility and sustainable design strategies within the global beauty industry. Her presentation showcased collaborative design projects created with citizen participation and communication initiatives that connect brands, cities, and communities.
*The iF Design Award, alongside Germany’s Red Dot Award and the U.S. IDEA Award, is recognized as one of the world’s top three design awards. In 2024, Prof. Dr. Peter Zec, founder of the Red Dot Award, participated as the keynote speaker, and this year’s forum continues the tradition of featuring global design award leaders as speakers.
<Session 2: The Power of Design Driving Urban Innovation>
Session 2 highlighted how design can drive urban innovation and civic engagement. ▲Inkyu Choi,
Director- General, Design Policy Bureau at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, presented “Design Connecting People, Cities, and the Future: Focusing on Seoul’s Design Policies.” ▲Deana Yu, Assistant Director of Visual Design of Service Design Studio at New York City Mayor’s Office, spoke on “Design by Community: Advocating for Community Power in New York City Government.” ▲Byungsu Kim, CEO of Missionit Co., ltd gave a talk titled “Design with 10%.”
Director-General Inkyu Choi has led meticulous and inclusive design governance under the “Design
Seoul” vision, aiming to position Seoul among the world’s top five global design cities. His presentation
focused on how Seoul’s design policy has evolved as a core tool connecting people, the city, and the future.
Deana Yu, known for her community-based design projects, shared detailed examples of how New York
City has overcome complex bureaucratic challenges to promote community empowerment through
design, illustrating the transformative impact of citizen participation on urban innovation.
Byungsu Kim emphasized that design should transcend aesthetics to ensure universal accessibility for
all, regardless of physical or mental differences. Drawing from his experiences working with marginalized
groups such as people with disabilities and the elderly, he presented examples of inclusive design and
proposed “Design with the 10%” as a key direction for Seoul’s future design approach.
After the session presentations, a panel discussion was held, moderated by Joo Yun Kim, Master Public
Designer of Seoul. The panel exchanged insights and questions on topics such as Seoul’s unique urban identity, sustainable design strategies for climate resilience, urban design for a super-aged society, and enhancing Seoul’s global competitiveness.
Meanwhile, prior to the keynote session, the “Design Manifesto by Citizens” took place.
Moderated by Professor Hyunsung Lee of Hongik University, the segment introduced the purpose and spirit of the forum, featuring citizen representatives from diverse backgrounds—including youth, foreigners, and designers—who each shared their voices and visions. Participants expressed a shared belief that design has the power to transform both the city’s future and citizens’ lives, demonstrating a collective commitment to action. It became a symbolic moment where the diverse voices originating from everyday life were expanded into policy and a broader urban vision. Furthermore, the session reaffirmed that empathy and participation of citizens are the core values for Seoul’s advancement as a leading global design city.
The “2025 Seoul Design International Forum” is available for viewing on the official forum website (www.sdif.org) and the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s official YouTube channels (in both Korean and English). The forum website also offers over 150 pieces of content, including Seoul’s design policies, presentation materials, and interviews with speakers, allowing citizens to easily access and explore the materials.
Mayor Oh Se-hoon stated, “Today’s forum is a valuable opportunity to hear profound insights from the design community. As design is a universal language that needs no translation, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will continue to walk with the underprivileged and grow together with global cities through design.”
