The Reading in Seoul Garden event invited residents to enjoy free reading and relaxation activities, including digital and live programs, in scenic parks, fostering a sense of community amid the city’s autumn landscapes.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government recently concluded its Reading in Seoul Garden event, a free initiative held every Friday and Saturday from September to October in two popular parks—Namsan Park and Dream Forest. Designed to encourage reading and relaxation, the event transformed park areas into inviting spaces filled with books, camping chairs, and bean bags, creating a peaceful atmosphere where visitors of all ages could immerse themselves in literature. By combining nature with literary activities, the program provided Seoul residents a unique way to appreciate the city’s autumnal beauty while enjoying a good read.
To enhance accessibility and broaden the reading experience, the event collaborated with Welaaa, a digital platform for audiobooks and e-books. Through a designated Welaaa Zone, visitors could access digital books on their devices, expanding the traditional reading experience to include more tech-savvy options. Special activities enriched the event, such as a book talk show in Namsan Park featuring Kim Shin-ji, author of Seasonal Happiness, who discussed Korea’s seasonal divisions, followed by a Q&A session with the audience and a musical performance by singer Yangpa, known for her love of literature.
Dream Forest, a favorite spot for families, offered a lineup of puppet shows based on classic fairy tales, held across four Saturdays. These engaging performances captivated young audiences, blending education with entertainment, making the park visit a memorable experience for families with children. Highlighting Seoul’s Garden-City Bureau’s commitment to fostering community, Lee Su-yeon, head of the bureau, expressed hope that the event allowed families and friends to bond over books, making the most of the fall season’s serene, scenic charm in Seoul’s urban parks.
FULL STORY: Seoul City invites people to read, relax in urban parks

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Rebuilding Smarter: How LA County Is Guiding Fire-Ravaged Communities Toward Resilience
Los Angeles County is leading a coordinated effort to help fire-impacted communities rebuild with resilience by providing recovery resources, promoting fire-wise design, and aligning reconstruction with broader sustainability and climate goals.

When Borders Blur: Regional Collaboration in Action
As regional challenges outgrow city boundaries, “When Borders Blur” explores how cross-jurisdictional collaboration can drive smarter, more resilient urban planning, sharing real-world lessons from thriving partnerships across North America.

Philadelphia Is Expanding its Network of Roundabouts
Roundabouts are widely shown to decrease traffic speed, reduce congestion, and improve efficiency.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service