Sep 12, 2024 · Seoul's urban planning during the mid-20th century focused on economic growth and largely ignored the ecological implications of sealing away a natural waterway. By the late 20th century,...

As Seoul underwent a gradual transformation from a mostly rural area to a sprawling East Asian city, the Cheonggyecheon, referred to as the “clear valley stream,” deteriorated into a polluted waterway.

By demolishing an elevated freeway and uncovering a section of the historic Cheonggyecheon Stream, this restoration project created both ecological and recreational opportunities along a 3.6-mile corridor in the center of Seoul, South Korea.

The evolution of the Cheonggyecheon River in just twenty-nine months from an outmoded utilitarian highway into a multipurpose performative infrastructural piece of unprecedented size merits recognition as a seminal project in contemporary urban design.

Nov 15, 2024 · The Cheonggyecheon restoration project was completed in September 2005, two years after it was proposed by the Mayor of Seoul. The works consisted of removing the highway covering the stream and redesigning the watercourse.

Cheonggyecheon is an intermittent stream which requires additional water provision to maintain the water depth design guidelines of a maximum 40cm depth of water throughout the year. The water amount needed was estimated at more than 120,000 tons a day.

Location: Cheonggyecheon stream, Seoul, South Korea Length: 5.8 km Cost: US $280million Dates: 2000-2005 Delivery Delivered through: Government funded, multi-partner project to deliver large-scale urban regeneration. Partners: Cheonggyecheon Restoration Centre, Seoul Development Institute, Cheonggyecheon Restoration Citizens Committee, Seoul

Seoul Development Institute, Feasibility Study and Master Plan of Cheonggyecheon Restoration, Mid-term report, 2003A.

However, the Cheonggyecheon Restoration Project was strongly opposed by local businesses because of the extensive scope of construction that would disrupt city life. In addition to the necessary work on the river, the project entailed the dismantling of …

The Cheonggyecheon Stream Restoration Project saw the dismantling and removal of an elevated freeway and the uncovering of a 5.84km section of the Cheonggyecheon historic stream in the centre of Seoul, South Korea (Ref. 2).