Songpa-gu Jangjicheon Cherry Blossom Path to Be Developed as a Waterside Attraction

Seogangseok, Mayor of Songpa-gu: "Jangjicheon to be Developed into a 'Waterfront Amusement Space' and Provided to Residents"

Songpa-gu (Mayor Seogangseok) is transforming the Jangjicheon cherry blossom path section into a waterfront-friendly landmark area.

In February, Songpa-gu was finally selected for the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Waterfront Vitality Hub Development Project, securing 3 billion KRW in city funds. A large-scale connecting deck will be constructed along approximately 700 meters of the Jangjicheon cherry blossom path section, allowing citizens to access it directly from Garden Five.

Additionally, a barrier-free connecting path and eco-friendly walking trail will be created so residents can comfortably access the Jangjicheon waterfront space from Songpa-daero.

Seok-Seok Seo, Mayor of Songpa District, Visits Jang Ji-Cheon Site

In particular, the approximately 700-meter Jangjicheon riverbed along the cherry blossom path will be completely dredged, replacing the riverbed, which has turned black due to sedimented soil and waste, with a natural-type riverbed to ensure clear and transparent water flows. The plan is to create a space where citizens can sit and dip their feet to relax.

Furthermore, small to medium-sized fountains and lighting will be installed in the river, along with walking path arches, providing various attractions.

Once the city completes the basic design, the district will conduct detailed design in June this year, begin construction in the first half of 2024, and complete the project by the end of the same year.

After inspecting the Jangjicheon site with related agencies and experts, Mayor Seogangseok stated, "Soon, Jangjicheon will be reborn as a new Seoul landmark with a waterfront amusement space," adding, "We will strive to create a place where anyone visiting Songpa-gu can walk along Songpa-daero, experience various fun activities harmonized with nature and the waterfront."

Dongdaemun-gu 'Youth Drug Abuse Prevention Education'

When asked about drugs, immediate response: "What kind of product?" ... Even 14-year-old middle schoolers are targeted

In cooperation with middle and high schools ... Education on the seriousness of drug addiction and harm

Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Ip-hyung Lee) is promoting drug abuse prevention education targeting middle and high school students due to the recent surge in youth accessibility and exposure to drugs through social networking services (SNS) and other platforms.

Reports of celebrities using drugs, simple curiosity, and peer pressure have led to indiscriminate exposure of youth, who frequently use online platforms, to illegal drugs, resulting in an increase in actual drug transactions among young people.

According to data from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, over the past six years (2017?2022), overall drug offenders increased by 23.2%, while drug offenders under 19 years old surged by 304.2%.

In response, the district is collaborating with middle and high schools to use audiovisual materials tailored to youth perspectives to educate on the addictive and dependency effects of drugs, which are mistakenly spread as "study-enhancing drugs," "body-building drugs," and "weight-loss drugs," aiming to establish safe and healthy values among youth.

Additionally, Dongdaemun Police Station, Dongbu Office of Education, Dongdaemun-gu Pharmaceutical Association, Kyung Hee University Hospital, and other local community organizations will cooperate to share information on illegal drug distribution, support professional educators, advise on educational material production, and promote illegal drug prevention, building a cooperative system to protect youth from drug abuse.

Mayor Ip-hyung Lee of Dongdaemun-gu said, "Along with strengthening drug abuse prevention education for youth, we will thoroughly manage and supervise medical drug handling establishments such as those dealing with propofol, zolpidem, and appetite suppressants to block drug access that has permeated youth daily life, aiming to make Dongdaemun-gu free from drugs."

Yongsan-gu 'Architectural Journey with Youth' Program

Operated 12 times from April to November... Field visits and introduction to architects and architectural technologists

Scheduled visits to Nodeul Island (May) and Namyeong-dong Democracy and Human Rights Memorial Hall (September)

Yongsan-gu is operating the 'Beautiful Architectural Journey and Career Exploration with Youth' program for local youth aspiring to become future architects.

The 'Architecture-related Career Exploration' runs 12 sessions from April to November. It targets youth (upper elementary grades and above), selecting 20?30 students per session recommended by their school principals who are interested in architecture.

On April 4, the first session was held with the Hope Class of 4th graders from Shingwang Elementary School visiting the Yongsan History Museum (photo). The theme was "The Evolution of Architecture Seen through the Yongsan History Museum," with a lecture by architect Kim Mijin from Lee So Architects Office.

The district remodeled the Yongsan Railroad Hospital, built in 1928, and opened the Yongsan History Museum (Registered Cultural Heritage No. 428) on March 23, 2022. The building is two stories above ground with a total floor area of 2,275㎡, preserving traces of the railroad hospital from the Japanese colonial era and restoring and repairing the existing facilities with minimal damage.

Upcoming visits include ▲Nodeul Island complex cultural space in May ▲Haebangchon (planned) in June ▲Namyeong-dong Democracy and Human Rights Memorial Hall in September. The Democracy and Human Rights Memorial Hall is scheduled to reopen after remodeling in June.

Through these architectural explorations, local youth can meet experts in various fields such as architects and architectural technologists, visit construction sites and famous buildings firsthand, and resolve their questions related to architecture.

Kim Seonsu, Acting Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, "I hope this field exploration will provide youth with an opportunity to build humanistic knowledge about architecture and culture in general."

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