Cheonggyecheon river Flashcards
(12 cards)
History of the stream - when and why was it covered up
● The Japanese colonial administration began dredging over the stream in 1918 as it was seen as a sanitation and flood risk. The Second World War and the Korean War halted this maintenance work
● The stream was fully covered between 1958 and 1961 and a four lane overpass was built in 1971
When was the scheme launched, how much was it
● In 2003 a two year, $281 million scheme was launched to restore the river
● It was transformed into a 5.8km ecologically sensitive green pedestrian corridor
Reasons and aims for the project
● Seoul changing from a development-oriented urban landscape dependent on cars to one that values quality of life and functioning ecosystems
● The ageing elevated freeway and concrete deck covering the stream posed safety risks and needed to be repaired or removed
● Govt wanted to improve connectivity between the city’s north and south sides, which the freeway divided
● The areas next to the overpass housed over 100,000 small businesses. The overpass reduced their competitiveness. By the end of the 20th century, buildings were run down, the area was polluted and there was little green space
● Aimed to create both ecological and recreational opportunities
What work was carried out
● The freeway and concrete deck were dismantled
● 22 bridges (12 pedestrian and 10 for cars and pedestrians) were built to improve movement north-south
● Car use was discouraged and rapid bus lanes were added, improved loading and unloading systems were implemented
● To address the variable flow of the stream, water from the nearby Hanang river is pumped into the area to create a consistent flow with an average depth of 40cm. This water is treated to make sure it’s not polluted
Attitudes and contributions of parties involved
● President Lee Myung Bak included the restoration in his successful bid to become the Mayor of Seoul in 2001, it became a priority of his administration
● Transportation experts were worried removing the elevated highway would increase traffic congestion in the northern end of the city since it carried 169,000 vehicles per day
● The Cheonggyecheon Restoration Citizens’ Committee of professional and citizen groups took responsibility for gauging public opinion. It communicated the project’s goals and organised public information sessions
● Local businesses saw the project as an interruption or threat to their livelihood. The Citizens Committee surveyed the markets in detail, carried out interviews with those likely to be affected, and held regular consultation meetings
What did the Seoul Metropolitan Authority do to minimise inconvenience and stimulate business activity
● Provided extra parking
● Reduced parking fees
● Improved the loading and unloading systems
● Promoted Cheonggyecheon businesses
● Provided support, subsidies and grants for business restructuring
● Struck special arrangements with those businesses that had to relocate
Why were experts worried it would increase traffic congestion in the northern end of the city
Since it carried 169,000 vehicles per day
How has the project affected tourism
● Brought an estimated 18.1 million visitors by the end of 2008
● It attracts 64,000 visitors daily, of those, 1,408 are tourists who contribute up to $1.9 million in visitor spending to the Seoul economy
Economic sustainability - evaluation of the project
● The area has fallen behind the rest of Seoul in terms of economic viability. It increased the price of land 30-50% for properties within 50 meters of the project, double the rate of property increases in other areas of Seoul.
● The number of businesses in the area closest to the restoration work has risen, compared with decreasing trends in most other city districts
Traffic - evaluation
● Speeds in the CBD slowed by only 12.3%.
● 15.1% increase in bus and 3.3% increase in subway usage since the start of the project
● The removal of large numbers of cars has created a 2.5°C reduction in average temperatures. Air flows freely along the path of the stream, creating a cooling wind corridor
● A 2005 public survey showed respondents overwhelmingly noticed improvements in air and water quality, noise and smells
Environment - evaluation
● Reduced UHI effect - 2.5°C cooler
● Increased overall biodiversity by 639%, with the number of plant species increasing from 62 to 308, fish from 4 to 25, bird species from 6 to 36
● Reduced small-particle air pollution by 35%. Before the restoration, residents were more than twice as likely to suffer from respiratory disease as those in other parts of the city
● Schoolchildren have access to a valuable education resource
● Provides some flood protection
Inclusive design - evaluation
● The design was non-inclusive, limited consideration of certain user groups
● In September 2005, a group lead a protest march demanding the right to access the new pathways alongside the stream
● In response, lifts were provided at 7 locations, together with free wheelchairs for users with mobility problems
● Despite this, irregular surfaces are uncomfortable wheelchair users and poorly-lit, congested tunnels are difficult for visually impaired people
