Songpa-gu Pungnap-dong Compensation Completed Site Transformed into World Garden

The Spectacular Transformation of Neglected Sites: Seven World Gardens to Be Created by 2027
From Korea to the United Kingdom and France... A Harmony of Cultural Heritage and Beautiful Gardens

Perspective Rendering of Ssamsi Park Development

Songpa-gu (District Mayor Seo Gang-seok) will create a 'World Garden' by 2027 on seven long-neglected compensated sites in Pungnap-dong.

Since the 1990s, when the cultural heritage value of the Pungnap-dong earthen fortification was confirmed, land compensation and demolition have been carried out throughout the Pungnap-dong area. The average annual compensation scale is about 60 plots, totaling 8,000㎡. It is predicted that it will take more than 10 years to complete the final compensation.

The problem is that the sites demolished after compensation cause various issues. Remaining as vacant lots, parking lots, and barren land for a long time, these sites have led to regional slumification, deterioration of residents' living conditions, and degradation of urban aesthetics.

Accordingly, the district has chosen 'garden creation' as an alternative. The plan is to create various gardens with minimal facilities such as flowers, trees, and resting spaces to preserve cultural heritage while ensuring residents' living areas.

The project target site is about 11,000㎡ out of the 320,000㎡ compensated sites in Pungnap 1 and 2-dong.

The area will be divided into seven zones, and gardens will be sequentially created over three years starting this year.

The garden theme is 'World Garden in Front of Your House Without a Passport.' Gardens reflecting the characteristics of five countries will be created, planting perennial flowers and small trees. The plan is to decorate the gardens with blooming flowers until excavation, providing various attractions for residents and tourists.

This year, gardens representing Korea, the United Kingdom, and France will be established in three zones in sequence. The Korean garden will plant plum blossoms, azaleas, and hostas from the Joseon Dynasty to evoke traditional charm, while gardens inspired by the UK's 'Cottage Garden' and France's 'Petit Versailles' will also be created. Later, gardens incorporating Japanese and Dutch gardening techniques are planned.

For this project, the district secured 900 million KRW from the Cultural Heritage Administration and Seoul City. While starting the first phase of garden creation, it plans to link with Pungnap-dong's core specialized street and walking trails.

District Mayor Seo Gang-seok said, "This project will be a model case of 'Garden City Seoul,' cleverly overcoming urban development obstacles by utilizing gardens," adding, "We expect a triple effect of residents enjoying gardens in daily life, improving living environments, and revitalizing the area through new tourism resource development."

Perspective View of English Garden Design

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