The Stream that Revitalised Seoul

Seoul – South Korea’s capital city – is home to an urban area which in the last century has experienced unprecedented change. The city’s downtown was once home to a large stream named Gaecheon which provided water for the city’s residents. During the Japanese colonial period, this stream was renamed Cheonggyecheon, and after the Korean War ended in 1953, the reinstated Korean government spent 20 years covering the stream, opening an elevated highway above it in 1976.

Fast forward to present day and Seoul once again has a stream on this very site, with the road that took its place no longer present. Driven by an ambition to reinstate local history to the area, then-Mayor of Seoul Lee Myung-bak embarked on one of the most expensive urban landscaping projects in South Korea’s history, spending US$384 million.

The vast expense of removing miles of concrete contributed significantly to the project’s cost, as did the efforts required to restore the river. Having suffered decades of neglect, water was no longer naturally flowing through Cheonggyecheon, meaning 120,000 tonnes needed to be pumped into the site every day from the Han river. In fact, the amount of work required in the project resulted in much criticism, with government members and environmental organisations questioning the true value of the project.

But the people of Seoul have embraced Cheonggyecheon. The site receives 90,000 visitors a day, ranging from office workers wanting a scenic view during lunch to families paddling in the shallows. The Environmental benefits are also clear. Air pollution is down to 48 micrograms per cubic meter from 74, and the cooling effects of the open stream means temperatures are as much as 5 degrees (F) lower than other areas. Wildlife is also flourishing, with the variety of species on site increasing five-fold.

In the early 20th Century, Gaecheon fulfilled Seoul’s demands by providing water for local inhabitants. Since then, Seoul has embraced both the automobile and globalisation, and the city’s needs have changed significantly. But in 2010, despite now being known as Cheonggyecheon, this large stream is once again fulfilling the needs of Seoul, providing public space which both people and nature can benefit from, and acting as a peaceful reminder of the bustling city’s history.

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