A 7-Meter Waterfall Built on the Traffic Island at Gongdeok Five-way Intersection in Mapo

A New Landmark for Mapo: 1,685 m² of Greenery
Night Lighting and Water Features Bring Nature to the Heart of the City

A city waterfall has been built at Gongdeok Five-way Intersection, the gateway to Mapo, Seoul. Mapo District announced that a rock garden-style waterfall featuring natural scenery has been constructed on the traffic island at Gongdeok Five-way Intersection (438-5 Gongdeok-dong), and a completion ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on April 28.

Panoramic view of the waterfall constructed on the traffic island at Gongdeok Intersection. Provided by Mapo District.

This project began with the establishment of the basic plan in July 2024, followed by consultations with relevant agencies and a detailed design service until December last year. Construction commenced in February this year and was completed in April.

The district renovated outdated facilities on the traffic island and transformed the space into an area where visitors can experience natural scenery in the heart of the city. The 1,685-square-meter island now features new water facilities, including a waterfall and a pond. By adding natural elements to a busy intersection frequented by vehicles, the formerly stark area has been turned into a green landscape.

The waterfall stands 7 meters high and 16 meters wide, with 15 streams of water flowing down. It was designed to be visible from all directions—east, west, south, and north. Lighting installations create a unique nighttime cityscape. In addition, various trees such as Japanese black pines and junipers, as well as flowering plants like liriope, have been planted to further enhance the natural atmosphere.

The district expects that the construction of this waterfall will go beyond mere landscape improvements, bringing vitality to the city with a dynamic scene where flowing water, rocks, and pine trees coexist. It is also anticipated to help alleviate the urban heat island effect during the summer.

A district official stated, "Gongdeok Five-way Intersection is a symbolic space marking the entrance to Mapo," and added, "We hope that this traffic island waterfall will become a new face of Mapo District, allowing people to experience nature up close in the city."

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