How the Cheonggyecheon River Urban Design Restored the Green Heart of Seoul

At 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.

Considered 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.

The Cheonggyecheon project is remarkable for its dramatic transformation from a seedy industrial eyesore to a nature-filled public space.

The water is heavily treated so that visitors can play in the stream.

The linear park serves as a major flood relief channel and can sustain a flow rate of 118mm/hr.

The park becomes progressively more "natural" and marsh-like as it flows downstream.

People flock to the Cheonggyecheon at all hours, but nighttime is particularly popular with couples.

Stepping stones provide a fun way to cross the river.

The park significantly reduced the urban heat island effect by replacing paved roads with vegetation.

The amount of biodiversity flourished since the completion of park in 2005.

An underpass is used as a small museum to explain the benefits and ecology of the Cheonggyecheon.

The Cheonggyecheon hosts many events and installations every year, including this temporary hydro-powered cell phone charger.

To alleviate fears of traffic congestion, the government also invested heavily in public transportation, such as a dedicated bus lane.

The park also reduced the amount of small-particle air pollution by over 30%.

The park is lit up and brimming with people at night.

At 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.

Many locals use the park as a "pedestrian highway" to cut across the city without needing to wait at streetlights.