Cheonggyecheon River Project Flashcards
Seoul background
. It is situated in the northwest part of South Korea on the Han River
. One of the world’s largest cities with a population of 10 mill
. The sprawling metropolitan area is much larger at 24.5 million people – the 5th most populous in the world.
. Population density of 17,000 people per km2 which is almost twice that of New York
Cheonggyecheon
. Small region in a central area of the city
. The Cheonggyecheon River had been badly damaged in the past and was restored from 2003-05.
. Restoration was needed because of decades of human alteration of the river
Issues
. 1971 - An Expressway was built that totally covered the river and enclosed the river system.
. Only input into the system was from an urban drainage system and waste water
. No vegetation so no evapotranspiration
. Flow rates were highly irregular which affects wildlife and sediment balances in the stream
. Water quality poor
The river restoration project
. Launched to bring environmental benefits back to the river
. An ecologically sensitive pedestrian corridor which improves the environment
. To dismantle the elevated freeway and concrete deck above the stream
. Improve the quality of life
. To remove the safety risks posed by the decaying freeway
. To increase business competitiveness and connectivity either side of the river
. The total length of the restored area is 5.8 km
. This whole area has been turned into a green strip
.The cost of the restoration scheme was $281million.
.190mil visitors 10 years after the event
Features of the scheme included
. Car use was discouraged and rapid bus lanes were added
. 22 Bridges added in total including 12 pedestrian bridges to improve communications from North to South across the river
. The Han River was used as source of water pumped into the Cheonggyecheon River to deal with variable flow rates and maintain a regular flow of 40cm depth. The pumped in water is treated to prevent pollution.
. The Middle zone of the project has fountains and waterfalls to increase biological oxygen supply
. Final zone has the stream allowed to widen and designed to look overgrown and wild. The Ham River marks the end point of the Cheonggyecheon River where the river flows into a wetland conservation area, and the end of the project.
Impat on the urban river catchment
b) Provides flood protection for up to a 200-year flood event
c) Biodiversity Increased by over 600% with the number of plant species increasing from 62 to 308 and fish species from 4 to 25.
d) Reduction in average air temperatures by 2.5°C as a result of reducing the number of cars and reintroducing plants. This reduces the urban heat island effect.
e) Evapotranspiration rates increased because of the introduction of plants to the system.
Environmental effects
. Reduces the UHI effect
. Reduced small-particle air pollution by 35%
Social effects
. Contributed to 15% increase in bus ridership and 3% in subway ridership in Seoul between 2003 and the end of 2008
. Foreign tourists visit the scheme who contribute up to $2 million in visitor spending to the Seoul economy
. Before the restoration residents of the area were more than twice as likely to suffer from respiratory disease as those in other parts of the city
Economic effects
. Increased the price of land by 30-50% for properties within 50m
. Increased number of businesses by 3.5% in Cheonggyecheon area during 2002-2003, which was double the rate of business growth in downtown Seoul
. Increased the number of working people in the Cheonggyecheon area by 0.8%
. Some business owners were not happy with the project
Negatives
. Uses electricity to artificially pump water - is the electricty clean
. Urban drainage is not based on natural urban drainage but by 2050 it will be
. Historical bridge moved - not a success culturally
