Haenggung-dong, located in Paldal-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, has emerged as a vibrant hub of history, culture, and art. At the center of the town lies Hwaseong Haenggung, and the famous Haengnidan-gil stretches from Hwahongmun Gate to Hwaseo Park. This once-neglected neighborhood has undergone a dramatic transformation through urban regeneration projects led by its residents. Today, Haenggung-dong stands as a model of coexistence of history and modernity.

 Haenggung-dong’s Decline: A Cultural Heritage Protection Zone

 Although Haenggung-dong is now a popular tourist destination, its past tells a different story. Suwon Hwaseong Fortress (Hwaseong) was designated as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1997, making it a cultural heritage protection zone. The area became subject to strict building regulations. 

 These regulations included height restrictions, sloping roof requirements, and limits on building coverage ratios. While these measures aimed to preserve the heritage site, they stifled development, leading to the outflow of wealthy residents and the decline of Haenggung-dong into a slum. 

 By the early 2000s, the area was characterized by aging infrastructure, a lack of facilities, and a proliferation of divination shops. Fortune tellers flooded into the town, taking advantage of low rents and the palace’s perceived positive energy. 

 A New Era of Urban Regeneration Through Culture and Arts

 In the 1990s, Haenggung-dong gradually regained its former vitality through an urban regeneration project. Suwon City implemented policies to make Suwon a historical and cultural city centered around Hwaseong. However, Suwon City did not cooperate with the local commercial district, ultimately failing to achieve self-sustaining development and urban regeneration. 

 The turning point came in 2006 with the Hande Well Project, a resident-led initiative that focused on improving streets and fostering collaboration with artists. Residents planned projects to improve the village environment with artists, and the local government began to support the project plans. As the Hande Well Project was successfully implemented, many resident-participatory urban regeneration projects began in Haenggung-dong.

 The 2010 art project, Haenggung-dong People, enabled the town to become a hub of history and art. Residents hosted an exhibition with artists to bring cultural and artistic vitality to the village. The exhibition was composed of a lifestyle art project where artists implemented residents’ ideas into murals or installation art that celebrated the town’s unique identity. 

 The following year, Suwon City promoted the Village Renaissance Project to support residents’ participation in urban regeneration. In addition, various cultural and artistic projects were promoted through resident contests, such as local art support and citizen-participatory art education. Unlike early urban regeneration projects, the collaborative efforts between Suwon City and residents to develop art-focused cultural programs successfully attracted visitors and revitalized the area. 

 The EcoMobility World Festival: A Global Spotlight

 Haenggung-dong’s transformation gained international attention during the EcoMobility World Festival Suwon 2013, a month-long event promoting sustainable transportation. Organized by Suwon City and global organizations, the festival prohibited fossil fuel-powered vehicles, revamped roads to prioritize pedestrians, and introduced eco-friendly infrastructure.

 In preparation for the festival, Suwon City transformed old roads into pedestrian-centric spaces, installed electric cables, planted trees, created parks on idle land, and remodeled the area to accommodate bicycles and walking. This traffic-controlled experiment attracted both domestic and worldwide attention, and over one million people visited during the festival. Many visitors paid attention to the unique atmosphere of Haenggung-dong, where thriving culture and art blended seamlessly with eco-friendly transportation initiatives.

 Following the festival, the area saw a surge in popularity, particularly among younger generations. According to the Suwon Research Institute, the number of businesses in Haenggung-dong increased from 34 during the festival to 207 by 2023, highlighting its rapid commercial growth. 

 A Modern Cultural Hub 

 Today, Haenggung-dong is visited by an average of 43,520 visitors daily, according to Small Enterprise and Market Service data. This is 1,071% higher than the residential and office population and surpasses visitor numbers to popular Seoul districts like Yeonhui-dong and Mangwon-dong. In Seo-young, a student from the Dept. of Spanish at Kyung Hee University, said that she visits Haenggung-dong because there are many cafes with a good atmosphere and the main attractions are close to each other, making it easy to walk around. From a tourist's perspective, the town is "cute and feels like the past and present coexist."

 Haenggung-dong has served as the backdrop for various dramas and has become a popular destination for visitors on drama tours. It is widely known as a filming location for popular dramas such as "Our Beloved Summer", "Extraordinary Attorney Woo", and "Lovely Runner". The Suwon Cultural Foundation also provides a K-drama Road as a tour program, offering guided exploration of the town’s iconic sites. 

 Journey into Diverse Haenggung-dong

 Haenggung-dong is a testament to community-driven city regeneration. Once the site of a king’s temporary palace and later a transformed slum, it has now emerged as a vibrant neighborhood showcasing the coexistence of history, culture, and art. This renovation was driven by the synergy between citizens who took pride in their town and acted with love for it, and the city's support. Today, it attracts visitors with charming features like Mural Street and the King’s Alley Tour. To sustain its unique character and ensure long-term success, it is crucial to prevent gentrification and continuously hold historical and cultural events that reinforce its identity.