Under the Neglected Hannam 1 Overpass, Transformed into a Natural Resting Place

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[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] On the 17th, Seoul City announced that it has transformed an approximately 2,305㎡ space beneath the Hannam 1 Overpass in Yongsan-gu, which had been neglected and hidden under the elevated road, into a natural resting area where citizens can relax.

The area around Hannam 1 Overpass is usually bustling with people due to the presence of large venues (Blue Square), bus stops, and a subway station (Line 6 Hangangjin Station). However, located under the four-lane Hannam 1 Overpass connecting Namsan No.1 Tunnel and Hannam Bridge, the space was shaded and dark, serving only as a place pedestrians passed by quickly. The pedestrian path along Itaewon-ro was cut off in front of the performance hall, leaving the area desolate and rarely visited.

The city installed nine white morning glory-shaped canopy structures (6m diameter × 4m height) in this previously dark and cold shaded stair-step open space, along with LED lighting to brightly illuminate the area for pedestrians even at night. Under the canopies, hexagonal benches shaped like flower petals were installed to create an open space where citizens can comfortably rest and enjoy. A hexagonal-shaped caf? (with a total floor area of 80㎡), designed to match the canopy concept, was established, and new men's and women's restrooms were also constructed.

Starting next year, the city plans to support this space as a venue for cultural and artistic activities such as exhibitions, busking, and flea markets.

Professor Cheon Jang-hwan of Kyung Hee University (Department of Architecture), who designed the project, explained, "The theme was 'realizing a lively natural image' to eliminate the desolate feeling of the existing open space," adding, "The long-abandoned space beneath the overpass will become a meaningful place through nature that continuously changes with the seasons and time."

Previously, in 2017, the city established the 'Comprehensive Plan for Utilizing Space Under Overpasses' to convert neglected overpass spaces into living SOC (Social Overhead Capital) facilities, improving a total of six overpass spaces into public spaces for citizens. Following Oksoo in Seongdong-gu, Imun in Dongdaemun-gu, and Hannam 1 Overpass in Yongsan-gu, improvement projects for the overpasses at Jongam Intersection in Seongbuk-gu, Geumcheon Overpass in Geumcheon-gu, and Nowon Station Overpass in Nowon-gu are scheduled to be completed next year.

After these pilot projects conclude, guidelines titled 'Guidelines for Utilizing Space Under Overpasses' are being established to enable each autonomous district to independently promote similar projects.

Kim Tae-hyung, Head of Seoul City's Urban Space Improvement Division, said, "This is the third project completed through cooperation between the city and autonomous districts, transforming neglected idle spaces into places where citizens can comfortably rest and use," and added, "We hope the Seoul-style living SOC model will expand throughout the city, creating more public spaces for citizens."

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