This study is about the cultural infrastructure in South-western Seoul. On dividing Seoul into five areas, the southwestern area of Seoul includes seven autonomous districts (Gangseo-gu, Gwanak-gu, Guro-gu, Geumcheon-gu, Dongjak-gu, Yangcheon-gu, and Yeongdeungpo-gu) located southwest of the Han River, with a size of 162.46 km2 and a population of 2,987,815 as of 2020. Development in this region has been based on the manufacturing industry, and even now, most districts in this region are designated as semi-manufacturing areas. Therefore, the cultural infrastructure in South-western Seoul has been relatively less developed compared to the other areas. According to the research result of this study, the number of cultural facilities in this region both per person and unit area is much smaller than that in the other regions in Seoul. Furthermore, most of the existing cultural facilities are for daily use, such as ‘Small Libraries.’ The problem is not a relatively big number of these facilities, but the lack of concert halls, art museums, and museums where a larger number of visitors can perform cultural activities and enjoy art performances. As a result, a strategy to expand cultural facilities and improve the cultural environment of this region should be designed with comprehensive planning. First of all, current plans to expand the cultural infrastructure should be reviewed as they largely focus on already existing small-sized cultural facilities used on a daily basis. Considering the conditions and needs of the region, these plans should be improved to provide what is required.

Cultural facilities needed in South-western Seoul are concert halls, art museums, and museums, which can display the identity of the region. It is essential to take strategic approaches for expansion of these facilities; for example using idle properties and facilities and establishing a cultural ecosystem in the region.

It is true that South-western Seoul is culturally less developed. However, it is a region that has many bases for artists, such as the Mullae Art Village, and a potential to create a new form of digital art. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a strategy to expand the cultural facilities focusing on regional characteristics of South-western Seoul. In addition, as the unbalanced cultural accessibility is not just a problem for this area, it is pivotal to improve the cultural environment and strengthen the cultural ecosystem by developing comprehensive plans that can be applied across the city.