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How did Neo-Confucianism influence construction in the early Joseon capital of Hanyang?

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Pagoda of Jeongrimsa Temple in Buyeo, South Korea — Korean architecture Five-story stone pagoda of Jeongrimsa Temple, first half of the 7th century, Baekje period; in Buyeo, South Korea. Height 8.33 meters (27.3 feet).

When the Joseon dynasty established Hanyang (modern-day Seoul) as its capital in 1394, the city’s layout was profoundly influenced by the principles of Neo-Confucianism, which had been adopted as the state’s official ethical and political framework.12

The urban planning of Hanyang reflected the Confucian emphasis on hierarchy, order, and the proper relationship between the ruler and the state. The city was designed with a clear, symbolic spatial arrangement:

Centralized Authority: The Gyeongbok Palace, serving as the seat of royal power, was positioned in the north-central part of the city, anchoring the capital’s administrative focus.1
Ritual Significance: To the east of the palace, the royal shrine of Jongmyo was constructed to honor the ancestors of the dynasty, while the Sajikdan (the royal altar for the gods of earth and grain) was placed to the west. This "left-ancestor, right-altar" arrangement followed traditional Confucian architectural dictates for a capital city.1
Orderly Grid: The central district was organized on a rectangular grid, promoting a sense of structure and stability that mirrored the Confucian ideal of a well-governed society.1