http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2004/08/27/200408270042.asp
Clean water in the Seoul
Cheonggyecheon restoration project is the centerpiece of the City`s
long-standing efforts to turn Seoul into an environmentally friendly
metropolis. Prior to this project, the City carried out other ecological
activities such as restoring Yangjaecheon, building neighborhood parks,
and thanks to its conservation efforts, many of Seoul`s rivers and
streams recovered health. The vacant lot at Ttukseom`s racecourse has
been transformed into a wooded area that has been a welcome addition to
the recreational resources of the city, much appreciated by the community.
Due to Korea`s speedy industrialization process, Yangjaecheon became one
of Seoul`s ecological casualties. During the 1970?, the height of the
country`s growth period, the stream was polluted and its conditions
deteriorated. Household and industrial wastewaters were poured into it
resulting in Yangjaecheon becoming nothing more than a bleak symbol of
urban decay, infesting the neighborhood with unpleasant smells. It
remained so until mid-1990, when the heightening public awareness of the
environment and consciousness of the quality of life was eventually
echoed by the local governments, action was taken to engage in
ecological activities, including river and stream conservation and
restoration.
Yangjaecheon was rescued around this time, and as a result of Gangnam-gu
district`s sustained efforts to improve its water quality, the stream is
finding a new place in Seoul residents?heart as an urban oasis.
Now transformed into a environmentally-friendly park, Yangjaecheon
offers a variety of recreational and ecological activities such as the
River Wetland Exploration Road is a popular destination for elementary
and middle schools students. After the ecosystem exploration, school
children can go for a dip in the park`s swim area and in winter, sleigh
riding replaces water fun as the water freezes over.
In the section of Yangjaecheon Park near the Irwon 2-dong area,
handicapped lift facilities have been installed making access by the
elderly and mobility-impaired easier.
Yangjaecheon`s promenade lanes and bicycle roads are also well
appreciated by fitness conscious society. In promotion this wonderful
setting, Seoul City recently hosted "Walking Festival 2004." The
event-invited participants to walk along the banks of the Yangjaecheon
attracted a large turnout of people from all walks of life: families
with young children, college students and even the elderly, showing off
their surprising vigor.
Tancheon, the Eco Zone
Few would have guessed that Seoul, an ultramodern metropolis, harbors at
its heart a pristine islet of untouched nature.
The wetlands of Tancheon are a migrant stopover site, visited every year
by many winter migrant birds. Designated by Seoul City as a protected
ecological zone, the area is famous for its well-preserved ecosystem.
Tancheon, situated in Songpa-gu, Seoul, as a protected ecological zone,
owes much to the good will of residents in the area. Tancheon has been
kept immaculate thanks to the regular cleanup of the rounds by
neighborhood residents and environmental organizations.
"It is really gratifying to notice that Tancheon is now cleaner,
especially since its designation as a protected ecological zone. I am
happy to have participated in the volunteer program to look after
Tancheon," said Ms. Jeong-suk Song, a resident of Jamsilbon-dong in
Songpa-gu."Unfortunately though, there are still a lot of people who are
breaking the rules, engaging in activities prohibited in the zone, such
as fishing, and many people still litter," she added.
The spontaneous effort by area residents is behind the remarkably
preserved wetlands of Tancheon, a natural monument, is home to a wide
variety of fauna and flora, including kestrels.
"Seoul Woods," Seoul`s very own Central Park, will open in May of next
year. Indeed, much like New York`s Central Park, Seoul Woods is an urban
forest, which will serve as a lung to the metropolis. The woods to be
created in Ttukseom, will occupy an area of some 1,155,000m2 near
Seongsu-dong 1-ga. The ground was broken on May 6, starting with the
removal of fences of the golf course, running through the lot;
construction is now in full swing.
This forestation project is a mega-enterprise supplied with an earmarked
budget of 250 billion won. The park was officially baptized Seoul
Woods,?a winning entry from a public name contest. A tree-planting event
was hosted last spring, inviting Seoul`s residents to help out with the
planting of new saplings.
The 1,155,000m2 site in Ttukseom, was previously considered to
accommodate the new City Hall, however the international culture and
tourism town, which later developed into a dome stadium is now slated to
become Seoul Woods The site was expected to yield as much as 3 trillion
won, only in terms of development profit.
However, rather than jumping onto the lucrative opportunity, Seoul City
opted for an environmentally-friendly resource, serving to improve the
quality of life for its residents, and allocated the site to the
forestation project.
The City decided in favor of the Seoul Woods project, in consideration
of the fact that northeastern Seoul lacked parks or other nature resources.
"Seoul is in fact abundantly supplied with green areas. It`s just that
they are all located in the city`s outskirts, making them not easily
accessible," said Mr. Seong-hwan Kim, a Ttukseom resident. "I am
thrilled by the prospect of having a forest in the middle of our city,
close to where we live and work," he added.
With the restoration of Yangjaecheon, followed by the Cheonggyecheon and
the Seoul Woods project, Seoul is undergoing substantial changes to
re-emerge as a model for an ecological city, as a result of the
municipal government`s commitment to the environment and consistently
implementing environmental policies.
By Kim Ki-jun
2004.08.27