Cheonggyecheon river project

• Cheonggyecheon river project in Seoul - CHEON - GG - YECHEON
• the area is overcrowded and congested with a damaged freeway elevated over a seasonal stream
• AIMS: increase stream flow to improve water quality and create a green space for ecology and recreation
• AIMS: reduce congestion and increase connectivity by building bridges to connect north and south ends.
• AIMS: improve business opportunities for the 100,000 small businesses in the area
• PROJECT ACTIVITIES: 2 year project costing $281 million to restore river and create 5.8 km green corridor
• PROJECT ACTIVITIES: Dismantle elevated freeway
• PROJECT ACTIVITIES: build 22 bridges ( 12 pedestrian) to improve North - South transfer
• PROJECT ACTIVITIES: increase water flow so depth is maintained at at least 40 cm all year to flush out pollutants
• PROJECT ACTIVITIES: Create 3 zones: CBD - underground flow

  Mid section - recreation zone, stepping stones and decks 

  Final zone - wetland conservation
• PROJECT ACTIVITIES: remove hard engineering and let river return to it'd natural state
• ATTITUDES AND CONTRIBUTIONS: Political support from Mayor
• ATTITUDES AND CONTRIBUTIONS: Transport planners concerned over increased congestion during project works as freeway carries 189,000 cars per day
• ATTITUDES AND CONTRIBUTIONS: Locals - happy with recreation space planning but concerns for disabled access to the sites
• ATTITUDES AND CONTRIBUTIONS: Businesses- incentives offered such as reduced taxes but concerns over disruption while project is carried out
• EVALUATION: popular with locals and attracts 1.8 million tourists per year
• EVALUATION: Diverse cultural programme offered in the plaza
• EVALUATION: pedestrians enjoy the river environment
• EVALUATION: Bus and subway use has increased leading to decreased traffic
• EVALUATION: decreased cars = 2.5 c drop in local air temperatures and air quality has improved - less smells
• EVALUATION: Economic growth - property prices have doubled and businesses have reported greater investment
• EVALUATION: Habitats boosted and educational programmes now offered in wetland conservation
• EVALUATION: Non inclusive as lack of access for wheelchair uses due to lack of lifts and irregular surfaces - but has now been partially addresses
• PROJECT ACTIVITIES:

  1. Car use was discouraged during the scheme and rapid bus lanes were added
• EVALUATION: Biodiversity Increased by 639% between the pre-restoration work in 2003 and the end of 2008 with the number of plant species increasing from 62 to 308 and fish species from 4 to 25.
• EVALUATION: Provides flood protection for up to a 200-year flood event