The Cheonggyecheon River Restoration

• Background information to Seoul and Cheonggyecheon River

  • The area of Cheonggyecheon had been built over the course of a small seasonal stream and had become overcrowded and blighted by traffic   
  • Due to WW2 and the Korean war the maintenance which began in 1918 work to cover the river was halted and refugees established squatter communities along the streams banks.
  • The stream was fully covered in 1961 and a four lane overpass was built in 1971 
  • This continued until 2003 where a $281 million scheme was launched to restore the river into a 5.8 Km green pedestrian corridor 
• Population and population density of Seoul and the Cheonggyecheon river area

  • Seoul 26 million people 
  • Fertile land 
  •  In 1970s Urban issue due to overpopulation, congestion, pollution and housing shortage
  • It is one of the most densely populated cities in the world with 17,000 people per square kilometre
• Reasons for the Cheonggyecheon river restoration project

  • The aging elevated freeway and concrete deck covering the stream posed safety risks 
  • The government wanted to improve connectivity between the city’s north and south sides which the freeway divided
  • The areas next to the overpass houses a dense ware of 100,000 small businesses. 
• Aims of the Cheonggyecheon river restoration project

  • The city of Seoul is focusing on changing from an urban landscape that is dependent on cars to one that values the quality of life and ecosystems. 
  • In the 20th century the country strove for accelerated industrialisation and modernisation but now there is a different emphasis of people in the city on health, social sustainability and social responsibility. 
  • In 2003 an ambitious two year, $281 million scheme was launched to restore the 5.8 km stretch of the river.
• How was the Cheonggyecheon river restored?

  • The elevated freeway and concrete deck covering the stream were dismantled
  • 22 bridges - 12 pedestrian bridges and 10 for cars and pedestrians were built to improve movement north-south across the area. 
  • Care use was discouraged in the area, rapid bus lanes were added, and improved loading and unloading systems were implemented.
  • Water from the nearby Hanang River is pumped to the area to create a consistent flow with an average depth of 40cm (this water is treated).
• What does the different zones of the Cheonggyecheon river consist of?

  • The corridor runs from Seoul to an ecological conservation area outside of the city and is split into three zones. 
  • The central historic zone, underground waterways were redirected to create a new stream bed with landscaped banks. There is also seating for the public to use.
  • The middle zone has recreation areas, waterfront decks, waterfalls and stepping stones.
  • The stream widens as it enters the final zone which is designed to look untamed. Where the stream flows into the Hangang river is a wetlands conservation area. 
• Summaries and attitude of people involved in the Cheonggyecheon River restoration (negative)

  • Transportation experts were concerned that removing the elevated highway would increase traffic congestion in the northern end of the city since it carried 169,000 vehicles per day.
• Social Sustainability of the Cheonggyecheon River Restoration Project

  • Has become popular with residents and visitors for rest and relaxation
  • The stream has become a tourist attraction, drawing an estimated 18.1 million visitors by the end of 2008.
  • Public facilities have encouraged a diversity of cultural programming.
  • There is a Cheonggyecheon Museum showing the area's history and reconstruction. 
• Economic sustainability of the Cheonggyecheon River restoration project

  • Since the end of the project, development cap[ita has been invested in residential construction and property prices have risen at double the rates elsewhere in the city. 
  • The number of businesses in the areas closest to the restoration work has risen, compared with decreasing trends in most other city districts. 
• Environmental sustainability of the Cheonggyecheon River restoration project

  • The stream has re-established lost habitats, plants and animal species have reappeared and it has become an urban wildlife haven. School children have access to valuable educational resources through the ecology embedded seamlessly within their urban environment. 
• How has the Cheonggyecheon River restoration project affected traffic?

  • Speeds in the CBD slowed by only 12.3%
  • Bus and subway train usage has increased.
  • The stream-sidewalk is an attractive alternative to street-level journeys and there is more pedestrian activity in the area. 
  • The removal of large numbers of cars from this artery has had a 2.5oC reduction in average temperatures. 
  • Air flows freely along the path of the stream, creating a cooling wind corridor. 
  • A 2005 public survey showed respondents overwhelmingly noticed improvements in air and water quality, noise and smells.
• Inclusive design of the Cheonggyecheon River restoration project?

  • The design was non-inclusive. For example, older people, people with visual impairments and people with mobility problems were not taken into consideration. 
  • In 2005 a group led a protest march demanding the right to access the new pathways alongside the stream
  • In response lifts were provided at seven locations together with free wheelchairs for users with mobility problems 
  • However there are still irregular surfaces and poorly lit congested tunnels. 
• Summaries and attitude of people involved in the Cheonggyecheon River restoration (Positive)

  • South Korean president Lee Myung Bak included the restoration of the stream in his successful bid to become the mayor of Seoul ion 2002 and it became a priority. 
  • Local businesses saw the project as either an interruption or threat to their livelihoods. However, the Seoul Metropolitan Authority provided extra parking fees to improve the loading and unloading systems, promoted Cheonggyecheon businesses and provided support subsidies and grants for restructuring businesses