Cheonggyecheon Stream:
This was an open stream prior to the 1960’s bordered by poorly constructed makeshift houses built by migrants coming into Seoul after the Korean War (1950-53) looking for work. Over an 18 year period from 1958 to 1976, the stream was covered with concrete to accommodate major roadway and expressway above (think Gardiner Expressway and Lakeshore Blvd. in Toronto as a comparison). The project stood as a landmark of Korea’s industrialization and modernization.
In 2003, the mayor of the city, facing considerable public criticism, courageously initiated a project to dismantle the expressway and tear up the roadway below to reveal the stream and give it new life. This was a significant piece of an overall thrust to bring nature back to the city and to promote eco-friendly design. In post-war Korea, and especially Seoul, the war devastation was addressed by a very rapid, no nonsense building boom to get the economy moving again. Now that the urban and national economies have matured, considerable financial resources are being devoted to urban planning and renewal.
When the stream was re-opened, it was nearly dry. Since then, 120,000 tons of water each day are pumped from the Han River, its tributaries, and groundwater from subway stations. The water eventually makes it way back to the Han. The renewed 11 km. stream was opened in 2005, has been hailed as a major urban renewal success, and has served as a catalyst for further CBD revitalization. As for the displaced traffic, overall volume has declined while ridership on subways and buses has increased. The air in the CBD is cleaner, and the stream acts as a natural cooling agent for adjacent areas.
This was an open stream prior to the 1960’s bordered by poorly constructed makeshift houses built by migrants coming into Seoul after the Korean War (1950-53) looking for work. Over an 18 year period from 1958 to 1976, the stream was covered with concrete to accommodate major roadway and expressway above (think Gardiner Expressway and Lakeshore Blvd. in Toronto as a comparison). The project stood as a landmark of Korea’s industrialization and modernization.
In 2003, the mayor of the city, facing considerable public criticism, courageously initiated a project to dismantle the expressway and tear up the roadway below to reveal the stream and give it new life. This was a significant piece of an overall thrust to bring nature back to the city and to promote eco-friendly design. In post-war Korea, and especially Seoul, the war devastation was addressed by a very rapid, no nonsense building boom to get the economy moving again. Now that the urban and national economies have matured, considerable financial resources are being devoted to urban planning and renewal.
When the stream was re-opened, it was nearly dry. Since then, 120,000 tons of water each day are pumped from the Han River, its tributaries, and groundwater from subway stations. The water eventually makes it way back to the Han. The renewed 11 km. stream was opened in 2005, has been hailed as a major urban renewal success, and has served as a catalyst for further CBD revitalization. As for the displaced traffic, overall volume has declined while ridership on subways and buses has increased. The air in the CBD is cleaner, and the stream acts as a natural cooling agent for adjacent areas.