[Seoul's Future] Professor Lee Hee-jung: "Hangang with Potential as a Global Landmark... Waterfront Space Must Be Innovated"

"The Han River has sufficient potential to establish itself as a global landmark. By reorganizing the waterfront space and introducing various cultural and artistic functions, a future centered around Seoul and the Han River will unfold."

On the 29th, Professor Lee Hee-jeong of the Department of Urban Engineering at the University of Seoul emphasized this during a panel discussion on the theme of "The Future of the Han River" at the '2023 Future of Seoul Forum' hosted by Asia Economy at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul.

Professor Lee stated, "I deeply agree with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's 'Han River Renaissance' project, which is based on the idea that 'Seoul lives only if the Han River lives,'" adding, "It is time to restore the ecosystem of the Han River's waterfront space, which has been covered with roads and concrete, and to improve accessibility."

He said, "Over the years, Seoul has secured and resolved the shortage of residential and industrial spaces through the resource of the Han River," and added, "Now, beyond these stages, it is necessary to provide citizens with spaces for rest and leisure, and to enhance urban competitiveness through various tourism and leisure activities such as cruises."

Professor Lee currently serves as a member of the Seoul City Architecture and Urban Integration Review Committee, Environmental Impact Assessment Committee, and Jongno-gu Office Cultural District Review Committee. He has also served as a member of the Cheonggyecheon Restoration Committee's Urban Planning Subcommittee, Gyeonggi-do Urban Planning Committee, design review committees for Gwangju and Ansan cities in Gyeonggi-do, and as the overall manager of the seven major landscapes in Sejong City. His career is so extensive that it is hard to find new town development, regeneration, or restoration projects in which he has not been involved, making him one of the top experts in urban planning and design both domestically and internationally.

Professor Lee particularly expressed expectations for waterfront transportation functions that create new transportation routes such as UAM and drones. In the case of UAM, there is a plan to connect Gimpo Airport to Yongsan, and then expand the route to Samsung and Jamsil, establishing an integrated transportation system between key points.

Finally, Professor Lee said, "Like Saudi Arabia's NEOM City, the future Han River is expected to become a globally recognized tourist destination."

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