"Reopen" the water flow.
For decades, Cheonggyecheon was virtually invisible to people passing through central Seoul. The waterway gradually disappeared from view during the first half of the 20th century, and by 1958 it was completely submerged beneath the road surface. In 1976, an elevated road was built above it, reflecting Seoul's development choices during its period of rapid urbanization, where space for transportation was prioritized over water and natural landscapes.
By the beginning of the 21st century, when the elevated road had deteriorated, Seoul chose not to continue repairs but instead dismantled the structure, returning the 5.84 km Cheonggyecheon stream at a total cost of approximately 386.7 billion won.
The project's impact extends beyond landscape changes. A 2012 study, tracking traffic flow, speed, and commuting habits before and after the project, showed an increase in subway passengers while road travel decreased. As space for cars narrowed, people gradually adjusted their commuting patterns instead of all traffic shifting to nearby routes.
The World Bank has assessed that Cheonggyecheon has contributed to the revitalization of central Seoul, while also providing impetus for public transport reform. The area, once primarily vehicular, has gradually transformed into a strip of pedestrian space, greenery, and water features amidst the dense urban environment.
From an environmental perspective, a 2015 study by Seoul National University, based on satellite data and comparing conditions before and after the project, showed that the Cheonggyecheon area contributed to reducing surface temperatures and mitigating the urban heat island effect.
A 2022 survey by the Seoul Infrastructure Corporation also recorded 666 species of plants and animals in Cheonggyecheon. However, the agency noted that the survey methods and timing varied from year to year, so it's not possible to simply draw conclusions about an increasing or decreasing trend based solely on the number of species.
Nature goes hand in hand with technology.
Cheonggyecheon today easily gives the impression that nature has returned after the concrete was removed, but behind the waterway in the heart of Seoul lies an entire engineering system that operates on a regular basis.
According to Seoul Infrastructure Corporation, Cheonggyecheon currently receives approximately 40,000 tons of treated water from the Han River daily, which can be increased to a maximum of 120,000 tons depending on conditions, along with about 20,000 tons of groundwater. Therefore, the flow is not entirely dependent on natural water sources but still requires significant support from urban infrastructure.
In addition to supplementing water sources, the technology is also used to monitor and ensure the safety of the waterway. According to the World Bank, sensors help control water levels during heavy rains and detect the risk of pollutants flowing into Cheonggyecheon. Data is transmitted in real time to a control center and some is also provided to the public.
Bringing the waterway back to the heart of Seoul was therefore not simply a matter of removing a road and restoring the old landscape. The city reduced space for cars, opened up more space for pedestrians, green areas, and water features, and built a new engineering system to maintain the flow in a modern urban environment.
Two decades later, buildings still stand densely packed on either side of Cheonggyecheon, traffic continues above, and technology silently controls the flow of water. But in what was once just concrete and cars, people can now step down beside a stream in the heart of the city.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/seoul-dua-dong-nuoc-tro-lai-trung-tam-thanh-pho-1759286.html
