Cheonggyecheon River, Seoul

• Seoul population over 10 million - 24.5 million in the larger metropolitan area - densely populated
• Cheonggyecheon was built over the course of a small seasonal stream, and had become overcrowded and blighted by traffic
• Dredging of the stream had begun in 1918, aiming to cover it completely as it was seen as a sanitation and flood risk. The stream was fully covered between 1958 and 1961, and a four-lane overpass was built in 1971, continuing until 2003 when a two year $281 million scheme was launched to turn it into a 5.8km green corridor.
• The elevated freeway and concrete deck covering the stream were dismantled, 22 bridges built, car use discouraged, water from Hanang River pumped in for a depth of 40m
• By the end of 2008, 18.1 million tourists visited, and the average temperature decreased by 2.5 degrees celsius.
• The stream re-established lost habitats, plant and animal species have reappeared and schoolchildren have access to a valuable education source
• The design was non-inclusive and did not take into consideration the blind or those with reduced mobility. 2005 - protest march against this. In response, 7 lifts installed however, the irregular surfaces and congested tunnels still cause problems