A groundbreaking urban study that uncovers Seoul’s hidden geography,

redefining how we see one of the world’s most dynamic megacities

Seoul is the only megacity in the world where more than 25% of the territory consists of forested hills woven directly into the urban fabric. In Seoul Mini-Mountains, Swiss architect Géraldine Borio examines 24 of these overlooked hills, uncovering how they have shaped the history, planning, and everyday life of the city.

Using historical maps, GIS data, aerial photography, and fieldwork, Borio interprets these hills as “voids” within the “solid” density of the metropolis — not empty spaces, but transitional zones of identity, memory, and resilience. Each chapter traces how these minimountains evolved through Joseon dynasty geomancy, Japanese colonial interventions, rapid postwar urbanization, and contemporary green space planning, revealing Seoul as a “city of voids”.

The book accompanies an exhibition held at the Seoul Museum of History (2024–2025) and is designed as an experimental French-fold art book, echoing the texture of maps while blending academic rigor with visual exploration.