An Average of 33,000 Visitors Per Day
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] The Gyeongui and Gyeongchun Line Forest Trails, which have transformed abandoned railway tracks into green linear parks, continue to attract over 30,000 visitors daily and have shown effects in reducing fine dust.
On the 23rd, Seoul City announced that an average of 25,000 people visit the Gyeongui Line Forest Trail daily, while about 8,000 visit the Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail.
The Gyeongui and Gyeongchun Line Forest Trails were created by utilizing the above-ground section of the Gyeongui Line and the abandoned railway tracks of the Gyeongchun Line. With urban forests established in both locations, the expanded green space covers an area equivalent to 22 soccer fields (a total of 157,518㎡). This has the effect of reducing 277 kg of fine dust annually, which is emitted by 165 diesel vehicles. The temperature along the forest trails was also measured to be about 10 degrees Celsius lower than the surrounding areas, confirming the effect of mitigating the heat island phenomenon.
The Gyeongui and Gyeongchun Line Forest Trails also enhance biodiversity and contribute to ecosystem restoration. The Gyeongui Line Forest Trail is home to the natural monument, the common kestrel, while the Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail hosts Seoul City protected species such as the lesser spotted woodpecker, the oriole, and the tit.
The city plans to publish a report analyzing the effects of the project in February.
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