Seocho-gu's 52 Urban Idle Spaces Including Old Retaining Walls and Bridge Undersides Transformed into Galleries

Yangjaecheon Bridge Pier Underside and Express Bus Terminal Station Connected Underpass Reborn as a Gallery Combined with Augmented Reality (AR), a New Technology of the 4th Industrial Revolution

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seocho-gu (Mayor Eunhee Jo) has been continuing the ‘Seocho Urban Canvas’ project since 2016, transforming secluded and desolate areas within the district into a vast canvas to create an urban gallery where light and art harmonize.

The district’s ‘Seocho Urban Canvas’ is a community-oriented design project aimed at improving the local environment and eliminating blind spots in safety by creating △storytelling art murals △unique three-dimensional sculptures △art lighting for safety in bleak spaces such as school retaining walls, remote alleys, and under bridge piers, as part of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED).

Especially this year, the area under the Yangjaecheon Bridge and the underground passage connecting to the Express Bus Terminal Station were reborn as galleries where residents can communicate and experience using augmented reality (AR), a new technology of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Moving images can be viewed through the augmented reality (AR) application ‘Seocho Urban AR,’ which automatically saves captured images to the user’s phone gallery and allows sharing on social media. ‘Seocho Urban AR’ is free to use without any membership registration.

Additionally, under the Yangjaecheon Bridge, not only AR murals but also moving lights and benches were installed, creating a resting area linked to the gallery. The previously dull and gloomy space under the bridge was revitalized by the moving light videos harmonizing with Yangjaecheon, maximizing landscape improvement effects and significantly contributing to crime prevention by activating idle spaces.

‘Seocho Urban Canvas’ is prioritized and implemented mainly in areas such as under bridge piers, underground passages, and school routes that urgently need design improvements, selected based on five criteria (15 indicators) including safety, walkability, and aesthetics, from requests by local community centers and residents.

Furthermore, the district has increased the utilization of urban idle spaces through continuous communication with residents and expert consultations, and plans to maintain these spaces as pleasant and visually engaging areas through ongoing inspections, management, and content upgrades.

Mayor Eunhee Jo stated, “To create a dignified Seocho worthy of a cultural and artistic city, we will continue this community-oriented design project that creates safe and beautiful landscapes in urban idle spaces.”

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