Transforming the Han Riverbank into Waterfront Space... Seoul City Officially Begins Spatial Reorganization

Presentation of Waterfront-Centered Urban Space Structure Reorganization Plan in 'Seoul Vision 2030'
Extension of the 2040 Seoul Basic Urban Plan

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government is set to embark on a major reorganization of the Han River waterfront spaces to create a water-centered spatial structure and enhance Seoul's international competitiveness.

On the 10th, Seoul announced that it issued a bid notice on the 9th for the project titled ‘Han River Waterfront Spatial Plan for Strengthening International Competitiveness’ and plans to commence the project in June. The main contents include devising connection plans and integrated concepts between major Han River waterfront hubs, planning for the expansion of transportation infrastructure and green ecological urban areas along the Han River, improving the Han River waterfront arterial roads and securing and utilizing new spaces linked to these improvements, and revising and supplementing the ‘Basic Management Plan for the Han River Waterfront’ to reflect these changes.

The Han River, stretching 41.5 km with an area of 39.9 km², crosses the center of Seoul from east to west, holding great importance in terms of urban spatial structure and functionality.

Accordingly, the city announced 'Seoul Vision 2030' last year, which includes reorganizing the water-centered urban spatial structure to create waterfront spaces as new vitality hubs. Additionally, in the ‘2040 Seoul Urban Master Plan (Draft)’ announced in March, ‘Reorganization of Water-Centered Spaces’ was presented as one of six major spatial policies aimed at improving citizens' quality of life and strengthening Seoul's urban competitiveness. This has heightened the policy importance of waterfront spaces, with the Han River especially regarded as a space requiring international landmark development to enhance Seoul’s urban competitiveness.

Reflecting these changing conditions, Seoul has embarked on the Han River waterfront spatial plan to realize the spatial policies of the urban master plan. Through this plan, the city aims to strengthen mutual connections between major centers around the Han River, revitalize waterfront spaces, and establish effective strategies to implement a Han River-centered urban space, thereby boosting Seoul’s international competitiveness.

Seoul plans to devise functional and spatial connection and integration plans between major Han River hubs such as Yeouido-Yongsan, Seongsu-Jamsil, and Magok-Sangam, and review waterfront hub creation plans linked to major redevelopment projects to support the specialized development of these hubs. The city will also explore future transportation methods such as Urban Air Mobility (UAM) utilizing the Han River, transportation infrastructure including waterborne transit, and ecological hub creation plans linked to green ecological urban areas to activate leisure and cultural spaces for citizens. Furthermore, through reviewing plans related to Han River waterfront arterial roads such as Gangbyeonbuk-ro, the city will identify idle spaces available from arterial road improvements and promote waterfront space concepts utilizing these spaces.

The city plans to derive implementation tasks through expert consultations and citizen surveys, and establish effective policies through organic collaboration with related departments. Clear management principles and predictable planning directions for the Han River and surrounding areas will be prepared to support the Han River area becoming a central space for citizens' daily lives.

Choi Jin-seok, Director of the Seoul Urban Planning Bureau, stated, “We will systematically manage the Han River waterfront to realize the Seoul Urban Master Plan and actively utilize the potential of the Han River waterfront to lay the foundation as a global leading city.”

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