Seoul City Transforms Deteriorated Yeouinaru~Dongjak Station Hangang Riverside Path into Pedestrian-Friendly Space

Retention green space habitat designed by Choi Young-jun, CEO of Lab DH Landscape Architecture Office

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghyun Choi] Seoul City is transforming the 5.6km Han River waterfront path from Yeouinaru Station to Dongjak Station on the southern end of Hangang Bridge (Nodeulseom~Noryangjin), which was narrow and outdated, into a pedestrian-friendly space where people can experience various cultural and leisure activities and walk more comfortably.

On the 8th, Seoul City announced that the final winning design for the international design competition of the southern Hangang Bridge waterfront space was selected as 'HANGANG CODE.' The winning team will be granted the rights for basic and detailed design. After the design service is completed by June this year, construction will begin in July with the goal of completion by June 2021.

In the future, the pedestrian path in Han River Citizen Park between Yeouinaru Station and the Han River cruise ship dock will have a newly constructed walkway and observatory connected to the existing deck, allowing visitors to view the Han River more closely. At the Saetgang Ecological Hub, resting spaces such as benches will be created so citizens can rest while observing the bird habitats of the Han River. Near the apartment complex by Noryang Bridge, where pedestrians faced danger due to the bicycle path and walkway being adjacent, a wall separating the pedestrian path and bicycle path will be installed to enhance pedestrian safety. The previously dark space under the Olympic-daero Noryang Bridge will be improved with lighting to ensure safety at night and will also be utilized as an exhibition space.

The judging focused comprehensively on ▲the characteristics of the waterfront ▲adaptations according to surroundings ▲cost and management issues, rather than dealing with the riverside superficially or focusing solely on design objects. The judging committee stated, "HANGANG CODE is a design that embraces the characteristics of the waterfront and employs various landscaping strategies that meet the water vertically, making it the most excellent design both aesthetically and practically."

Kim Tae-hyung, head of Seoul City's Urban Space Improvement Division, said, "The Han River waterfront pedestrian network creation project is a project that proceeds from establishing a master plan to overall basic planning and construction." He added, "It will be a new type of waterfront urban regeneration project that utilizes existing walkways rather than a massive waterfront development approach."

Meanwhile, the works from this Han River waterfront pedestrian network design competition can be viewed at the 'Thinking Han River' exhibition currently held at the Seoul Urban Architecture Exhibition Hall's Bium Hall. The exhibition runs until the end of February.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.