Hyeon Kim

About Me

I am a master’s student in City and Regional Planning at the Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Seoul National University.  With training in both architecture and urban planning, I aim to develop inclusive and sustainable approaches that enhance quality of life through thoughtful design and resilient systems. I see urban and rural as platforms for promoting social well-being, cultural continuity, and environmental harmony.

Academic Background

I began my academic journey at Ewha Womans University as a top-ranking student with a full five-year merit scholarship. Through the Self-Directed Major Program, I explored various fields before selecting architecture as my primary discipline. I completed a professional Bachelor of Architecture in the College of Engineering, where I developed a strong interest in spatial aesthetics and human-centered design. I was also selected for a department-sponsored internship program and served as a teaching assistant in multiple design studios.
Over time, my interest shifted toward the systems and policies shaping the built environment, leading me to pursue urban planning to more directly address long-term sustainability and equity.

Affiliations & Research

At Seoul National University, I am affiliated with the Sustainable and Smart City Lab under the supervision of Professor Jaemin Song. Drawing on principles of systematic thinking and urban dynamics, my current work explores how planning systems can foster healthy, inclusive environments and expand access to housing and public services.

I presented my research at  the 2025 International Conference on Asia-Pacific Planning Societies (ICAPPS) in Taipei, Taiwan, which uses spatial analysis to examine wildfire exposure in rural areas and discusses planning approaches for disaster prevention and locally grounded climate resilience.

I also presented "A Study on Legal and Institutional Reforms to Guarantee the Housing Rights of Wildfire Refugees - Focusing on Climate Justice and the Principle of the Caring State" at the Korean Environmental Law Association and received an award of encouragement (co-authored with Park Chan-mok, Chung-Ang University Law School).

Leadership & Initiatives

I currently serve as the president of the student council at GSES, and I am a co-founder of Urban Society Studies (USS) — a student-led initiative exploring themes such as regional decline, eco-friendly cities, single-person households, and more.

Vision & Goals

My broader academic goals include:

• Advancing inclusive, adaptive urban environments that support diverse ways of living

• Strengthening local identity and regional capacity through culturally grounded, data-informed planning

• Contributing to more creative and sustainable urban practices in Korea and beyond