River Restoration

Question 1

Background info on Seoul? (PSWR)

Answer 1

• population = 10mil
• 17000+ people per square m
• Cheonggyecheon stream first dredged in 1918 (seen as flood + sanitation risk)
• wars halted construction 🚧
• refugees/returning pop. established squatter communities along bank 🏞

Question 2

Reasons for project?

Answer 2

Govt wanted to improve connectivity between north and south sides 🧭

Question 3

Aims of project?

Answer 3

• create ecological + recreational opportunities along 5.4km corridor
• elevated freeway + concrete deck covering stream = safety risk, needed to be repaired/removed⛔️

Question 4

How much did it cost?

Answer 4

$281 million 🤑

Question 5

Work carried out?

Answer 5

• 22 bridges to improve movement north-south (12 pedestrian, 10 for cars) 🌉
• Hanang River used as source of water pumped into the Cheonggyecheon River - deal with variable flow rates and maintain regular flow of 40cm depth. 💦
• corridor split into 3 zones:
  1. Historic central zone: underground waterways redirected, given a new stream bed and landscaped banks 🍃
  2. Middle zone: fountains and waterfalls to increase biological oxygen supply ⛲️
  3. Final zone: stream allowed to widen, wetland conservation area, natural appearance 🌳

Question 6

Positive attitudes of stakeholders?

Answer 6

• Bolstered mayor’s reputation as he then became the president: international and national acclaim for him 🕺

Question 7

Negative attitudes of stakeholders?

Answer 7

• transportation experts: highway carried 169 000 vehicles per day, removal = increase congestion 🚘
• local businesses: project either an interruption/threat to livelihoods 💵

Question 8

Evaluation of the project: positives?

Answer 8

Economic: stream has become tourist attraction - 18.1 million visitors by end of 2008 🧍‍♀️🧍🏼🧍‍♂️

Traffic: speeds in CBD slowed by 12.3% 🚙
Bus + subway usage increase = 2.5 degree C reduction in average temps 🥵

Environment: reestablished lost habitats 🦊🐿🦔
2005 public survey - residents noted improvements in air + water quality ☁️💧

Question 9

Evaluation of the projects: negatives?

Answer 9

Economic sustainability: property prices increased 🏡
Area had fallen behind rest of Seoul in terms of economic viability 💰

Design was non inclusive: limited consideration for groups, e.g. older people, that use wheelchairs (irregular surfaces) 🦽