Based on conceptual metaphor theory and speech act, this study aims to examine the communicative functions of language use by analyzing texts used in Seoul’s urban design. Considering that life in a modern society is based on the ecosystem of its cities, the importance of urban design in increasingly felt by modern individuals who share limited space and move along predetermined routes. According to El-Khoury and Robbins (2004), urban design is both an abstract and relative concept, and the purpose of a city can be interpreted differently according to differences in experience and perspective. Conceptual metaphorical language expressions not only have a communicative function but also provide the hearer with a certain perspective by concretizing the events or phenomena indicated by the speaker. Metaphorical language expressions based on metaphors created by the speaker perform speech acts by serving as an effective means of persuasion and communication (Searle 1979). We examine the linguistic aspects based on the metaphor of the development of illocutionary forces in Seoul’s urban design texts.

The study revolved around the forests of Yangjae Citizen’s Forest, a park where the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) was applied. The survey methods for analysis are as follows. From August to October, a total of eight surveys were conducted and 147 of the 300 samples collected were utilized for analysis. According to the results of the survey, 43.5% of participants were males and 56.5% were females. The highest number of participants visited the forest at midday and aged twenties visited most among all age groups. The participants visited the forest mostly with family and the main purpose of visit was for walking exercise including strolling. In case of criminal experience two sexual harassment (6.0%), and a fraud crime (3.0%) were tallied. Insecurity analysis resulted that “other users’ drinking” and “few Closed-Circuit Televisions (CCTVs)” were found to increase visitor’s insecurity. According to the psychological security analysis, participants reported they felt safer in open space than the enclosed areas. They also responded that dense wooded areas along the trails would increase the level of insecurity, while open space and resting areas were effectively relieve unsafe feelings. CCTVs and lighting fixtures facilities in the study area play an important role to effectively manage the park to prevent crime.