How a City Demolished a Freeway to Restore an Ancient River System into an Urban Green Space

Summary

Seoul, South Korea, transformed from a congested mega-city to a green urban model with the restoration of the Chongi Chong River. Once buried under a highway, the river was uncovered in 2005, becoming a vibrant public space. The $1 billion project improved air quality, reduced heat, and increased biodiversity by 639%. It also boosted local economy and tourism, revitalizing the downtown area. The successful river restoration serves as a global example for urban renewal, showing how removing outdated infrastructure and creating green spaces can enhance both environmental sustainability and quality of life.

Takeaways

• 😀 Seoul is a mega city with over 10 million people, making it the 5th largest metropolitan area in the world.
• 🌳 Seoul is one of the greenest mega cities, with 27.8 public parks and gardens per capita.
• 🏙️ The Changi Chong River was once a vital part of Seoul's cultural life but became buried beneath a highway due to urbanization in the 20th century.
• 🚧 In the 1960s and 70s, Seoul faced severe urban issues such as traffic congestion, pollution, and housing shortages.
• 🔨 The Changi Chong Expressway, built in the 1970s, became one of the busiest roads in the city but deteriorated by the 1990s.
• 💡 In 2003, Seoul decided to demolish the expressway and restore the Changi Chong River to revitalize the area.
• 💰 The restoration project took two years and nearly $1 billion, employing 700,000 workers to expose the river and create green spaces.
• 🎉 The restored Changi Chong River became a popular attraction, hosting art and music events, and leading to increased investment in the area.
• 🌍 The restoration resulted in improved air quality, with a 35% reduction in small particle pollution, and decreased the urban heat island effect.
• 🦋 Biodiversity in the river area increased by 639%, with the return of various species of birds, fish, and insects.
• 🌎 The success of the Changi Chong River restoration has become a model for other cities looking to revitalize urban spaces and reduce environmental impact.

Q & A

What is Seoul's population size and how does it rank among Asian cities?

Seoul has a population of over 10 million people and is the third-largest metropolitan area in Asia, with a total metropolitan population of 26 million people, making it the fifth-largest in the world.

What were the main urban issues Seoul faced in the 1960s and 1970s?

During the 1960s and 70s, Seoul faced urban issues such as traffic congestion, environmental pollution, the formation of illegal settlements, and housing shortages due to rapid population growth.

How has Seoul transformed into a 'smart city' and one of the greenest mega cities in the world?

Seoul has addressed urban problems and evolved into a smart city by focusing on sustainability. It has become one of the greenest mega cities globally, with 27.8% of its urban area dedicated to public parks and gardens.

What was the condition of the Changi Chong River before the restoration project?

Before the restoration, the Changi Chong River was heavily polluted and had been paved over in the 20th century, symbolizing modern progress. It was buried under concrete tunnels, and the area was severely congested.

Why was the Changi Chong Expressway demolished, and what was the goal of this decision?

The Changi Chong Expressway was demolished due to structural deterioration and the city's need to resolve traffic congestion. The goal was to restore the river and improve the environmental and aesthetic quality of the downtown area.

What was the cost and scale of the restoration project?

The restoration project cost nearly one billion dollars and employed 700,000 skilled workers. It covered 5.8 kilometers of the Changi Chong River and aimed to revitalize the surrounding urban areas.

How did the Changi Chong River restoration impact the local environment?

The restoration improved air quality, reducing small particle pollution by 35%, and lowered the urban heat island effect, with temperatures in the river corridor 3-4 degrees Celsius cooler than surrounding areas.

What were the biodiversity results after the Changi Chong River restoration?

The restoration led to a 639% increase in biodiversity, with the return of several species of birds, fish, and insects, significantly enhancing the local ecosystem.

What social and economic benefits did the restoration project bring to Seoul?

The restoration boosted local business, increased investment in the downtown area, created job opportunities, and attracted millions of visitors annually, leading to a more vibrant and economically active neighborhood.

How has the Changi Chong River restoration become a model for other cities?

The Changi Chong River restoration has become a global model for urban green space development, demonstrating how cities can transform polluted areas into thriving, healthy, and sustainable environments. It serves as an inspiring example for expressway demolition and river restoration projects worldwide.