Even in an era where every region worries about regional extinction and population decline, there are cities emerging culturally. Non-capital cities such as Jeju, Gangneung, Gyeongju, and Jeonju are seeking sustainable growth strategies based on their unrivaled cultural resources. It is not necessarily only tourist cities that are rising. Cheongju, the most populous city outside the capital, is a prime example of a "quietly strong city." Unlike glamorous tourist destinations, it does not receive the media spotlight, but observing Cheongju's local economy and urban regeneration sites, the expression "quiet rise" is the most appropriate description.

The rise of Cheongju holds significance that extends beyond the growth of an individual city to the broader context of a metropolitan economic zone. Cheongju is establishing itself as a core axis of the new megacity region known as "Daejeon." As the Daejeon metropolitan area—connecting Cheongju, Sejong, Gongju, and Daejeon—functions as a single living zone to form Korea's second megacity, Cheongju is securing a distinct position based on its unique identity and economic vitality.

In a word, the key to Cheongju's success lies in the successful evolution of its identity. Starting from its historical foundation as the provincial capital, an educational city, and a city of traditional culture, Cheongju has naturally transformed into a modern cultural city, a city of alleys, a city of daily life, and a dessert city through various cultural experiments. What is noteworthy is that this transformation was achieved not through a break with the past, but through the modern reinterpretation and expansion of its traditional identity. Based on this strong local identity, Cheongju is expected to develop into a local creator town that serves as an independent cultural and economic axis within the 'Daejeon' megacity.

Cheongju is within the 'Daejeon' megacity

It is expected to develop into a local creator town that serves as a unique cultural and economic hub.

Cheongju's traditional identity

Cheongju has long been recognized as an educational city. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that, along with Chuncheon, it is the only provincial seat where both the provincial and city government offices remain in the original downtown area. This status as a center of education and administration is a key factor in maintaining the vitality of Cheongju's original downtown. The fact that the original downtown has not declined despite the development of large-scale industrial complexes such as the Osong Life Science Complex and the Ochang Science Industrial Complex is largely due to the decisive role played by these educational and administrative functions.

Cheongju's cultural identity originates from 'Jikji,' the world's oldest printed book using movable metal type. This tradition of documentary culture serves as the foundation of Cheongju's urban branding today. As exemplified by the selection of 'Teomuni,' a multi-cultural complex in Yeongun-dong, as a neighborhood archive, Cheongju is realizing successful urban branding by reinterpreting this tradition in a modern context. Upon this cultural foundation, Cheongju's alley commercial districts demonstrate a unique pattern of development characterized by 'quiet and elegant' growth. Growth that is neither ostentatious nor flashy, but built upon a solid foundation, is a defining characteristic of Cheongju's local economy.

Cheongju's alley commercial districts are growing 'quietly and elegantly'

It demonstrates a unique development method.

Cheongju's New Identity

Opened in 2019 following the reconstruction of the former tobacco factory, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Cheongju, is a prime example of how the city has significantly elevated its cultural status. As the nation's first open-storage museum, it is the fourth National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art following those in Gwacheon, Deoksugung, and Seoul, and the first established outside the metropolitan area. The transformation of a central industrial facility that drove Cheongju's economy from 1946 to 2004 into a museum after 14 years of neglect through cultural regeneration is a symbolic example of converting Cheongju's industrial heritage into a cultural asset. Much like how an old train station in France became the Musée d'Orsay and a thermal power plant in the UK transformed into the Tate Modern, Cheongju's tobacco factory has evolved into a center of contemporary art, becoming a new landmark representing the city.

At the same time, Cheongju is establishing itself as an independent cultural city within the 'Daejeon' megacity zone. Within the Daejeon metropolitan area, Cheongju maintains its unique cultural identity while functioning as a crucial hub for population movement and economic exchange within the wider living area. Of particular note is that Cheongju has developed its own distinctive alleyway commercial culture even within this large metropolitan area.

Cheongju, steeped in the historical background of being a major town during the Joseon Dynasty, has maintained economic and cultural vitality centered on its original downtown area. Various alley commercial districts, such as Seongan-gil, Sonamu-gil, Hyangnidan-gil (Daeseong-ro), Suamgol, Jungmun, and Unnidan-gil, function as the backbone of the downtown economy. These alley commercial districts hold value as places where Cheongju's history and culture are condensed, going beyond mere commercial spaces. An example like 'Mokgan,' a café renovated from the 60-year-old Hakcheontang bathhouse, represents Cheongju's unique approach demonstrating a sustainable method for the regeneration of modern and contemporary architecture.

It is no coincidence that Cheongju is known as the "City of Desserts" due to the highly developed local cafe and dessert culture. This is the result of the intersection between the everyday tastes and lifestyles of Cheongju citizens and the local economy. Cafes located in the old downtown area, where various historical and cultural resources such as the Provincial Office, Hyanggyo, Anglican Cathedral, and Central Park are concentrated, function not merely as places for consumption but as spaces to experience Cheongju's cultural identity. Food culture that embodies local characteristics, such as the buckwheat udon at Jungang Memil, offers a unique gastronomic experience exclusive to Cheongju.

Cafes in every alley, each featuring a unique concept and atmosphere, have established themselves as a key pillar of Cheongju's local economy. In particular, the rooftop cafes in Suamgol are a prime example of leveraging the geographical advantage of overlooking downtown Cheongju; they add small joys to the daily lives of citizens while driving economic vitality in the alley commercial districts.

Cheongju is called the 'City of Desserts'

It is no coincidence that local cafe and dessert culture has developed.

Key tasks for Cheongju's development

The biggest challenge facing Cheongju is the potential shrinkage of the original downtown area due to new city developments, such as the third expansion of Seocheongju Technopolis. Additionally, environmental issues, such as the construction of SK Hynix's LNG power plant, pose a threat to the sustainability of the local economy. However, Cheongju is presenting a leading model in responding to these challenges. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Cheongju, is the nation's first central-local government collaboration model utilizing property transferred free of charge to the state under the 'Special Act on the Promotion and Support of Urban Regeneration.' It serves as an exemplary case of sustainable urban regeneration that goes beyond a mere cultural facility to respect the city's identity and history.

To achieve balanced development between the old city center and the new city, it is essential to expand strong anchor facilities and programs unique to the old city center. Starting with the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Cheongju, establishing additional anchor facilities linked to Cheongju's identity—its archival culture—can be a key strategy to enhance the competitiveness of the old city center.

Furthermore, it is crucial to establish a local content town in the old downtown area for the sustainable development of Cheongju. The active participation of local creators in Cheongju and the Chungbuk region demonstrates the creative potential of this area. In particular, the innovative attempt to link local creating with education is noteworthy. The development of educational materials for university students to become local creators, along with the adoption of 'Local Creating' as an official subject in high schools in the Chungju region, is regarded as an educational initiative worthy of national attention. Building upon this educational foundation, establishing a town in the old downtown area where the creation, production, and distribution of local content are concentrated will further strengthen Cheongju's unique urban competitiveness.

For the sustainable development of Cheongju

It is important to create a local content town in the old city center.

The persistence of a silent injury

Cheongju may not be in the dazzling spotlight, but true to the spirit of Chungcheong Province, it is a city that quietly accomplishes its duties. Cheongju’s "quiet rise," where history and modernity, tradition and innovation, and the old city center and new towns coexist harmoniously, presents a new model for the development of provincial cities. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Cheongju, has garnered such a positive response that it attracted approximately 30,000 visitors within just one month of its opening, establishing itself as a successful example of strengthening urban identity through the cultural regeneration of industrial heritage.

Cheongju’s experience demonstrates that a city’s competitiveness stems not from flashy landmarks or large-scale developments, but from the power of a local economy and culture connected to the daily lives of citizens, as well as from regeneration methods that respect the city’s history and industrial heritage. Even within the megacity of 'Daejeon,' Cheongju maintains a unique identity and functions as a core city within its metropolitan area. Cheongju’s future lies in inheriting the wisdom of this 'quiet rise,' and its development model, which prioritizes quality of life, regional identity, and sustainability over urban scale or the speed of development, remains worthy of continued attention.

History and modernity, tradition and innovation, and the old city center and new city coexist in harmony

Cheongju's 'quiet rise' presents a new model for the development of provincial cities.

Illustration | The elements that make up Megacity Cheongju are composed into a single illustration to convey them three-dimensionally. Befitting Cheongju's emergence as a city of desserts, a tall parfait is placed in the center to establish the focal point. Around it are Jungang Memil, Jikji, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Cheongju, Cheongju Hyanggyo, coffee, and cake.

External contributions to the Editorial Department are intended to provide a multifaceted perspective on local culture and industry and may differ from the views of the Editorial Department.

Mojongrin

Professor at the Graduate School of International Studies, Yonsei University. He graduated with a degree in Economics from Cornell University and received his Ph.D. in Business Administration from Stanford University. He has served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at Austin, a Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, and Dean of the Underwood College of International Studies, the Dean of the Office of International Affairs, and the Dean of the Graduate School of International Studies at Yonsei University. As a researcher seeking opportunities for the creator economy and regional development within lifestyle changes, he envisions a city where startup employees, artists, and small business owners create culture and industry through community. His main research topics are alleyway commercial districts where local creators are active and the ecosystems formed around them. His publications include *Creator Society*, *Neighborhoods You Want to Stay In Are on the Rise*, *Capitalism of Alleyways*, and *Humanities Proposes a Lifestyle*.