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- Cheonggyecheon RiverAt the heart of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/seoul" target="_blank">Seoul</a> lies one of the world's greatest <a href="http://inhabitat.com/urban-design/" target="_blank">urban design</a> projects: the Cheonggyecheon River linear park. A green oasis in a concrete jungle, this inspiring urban renewal success underwent a dramatic transformation from a traffic-choked elevated freeway and concrete paved waterway into a lush, 3.6-mile-long “day-lit” stream corridor that attracts over 60,000 visitors daily. The restoration process has also provided huge boosts to local <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/biodiversity" target="_blank">biodiversity</a> and catalyzed economic development. Keep reading to learn the story behind Seoul's ambitious stream recovery project and to flip through our gallery for pictures of the inspiring urban park.1
- Cheonggyecheon RiverConsidered a flagship project, the completion of the Cheonggyecheon has spurred the development of various other river restoration projects around Korea and inspired other daylighting projects around the world.2
- Cheonggyecheon RiverThe Cheonggyecheon project is remarkable for its dramatic transformation from a seedy industrial eyesore to a nature-filled public space.3
- Cheonggyecheon RiverThe water is heavily treated so that visitors can play in the stream.4
- Cheonggyecheon RiverThe linear park serves as a major flood relief channel and can sustain a flow rate of 118mm/hr.5
- Cheonggyecheon RiverThe park becomes progressively more "natural" and marsh-like as it flows downstream.6
- Cheonggyecheon RiverPeople flock to the Cheonggyecheon at all hours, but nighttime is particularly popular with couples.7
- Cheonggyecheon RiverStepping stones provide a fun way to cross the river.8
- Cheonggyecheon RiverThe park significantly reduced the urban heat island effect by replacing paved roads with vegetation.9
- Cheonggyecheon RiverThe amount of biodiversity flourished since the completion of park in 2005.10
- Cheonggyecheon RiverAn underpass is used as a small museum to explain the benefits and ecology of the Cheonggyecheon.11
- Cheonggyecheon RiverThe Cheonggyecheon hosts many events and installations every year, including this temporary hydro-powered cell phone charger.12
- Cheonggyecheon RiverTo alleviate fears of traffic congestion, the government also invested heavily in public transportation, such as a dedicated bus lane.13
- Cheonggyecheon RiverThe park also reduced the amount of small-particle air pollution by over 30%.14
- Cheonggyecheon RiverThe park is lit up and brimming with people at night.15
- Cheonggyecheon RiverAt the turn of the millennium however, then mayor and future president of Korea Lee Myung-Bak successfully campaigned on a promise to remove the freeway and restore the Cheonggyecheon.16
- Cheonggyecheon RiverMany locals use the park as a "pedestrian highway" to cut across the city without needing to wait at streetlights.17