Seoul City Rebirths 5.6km Han River Green Path from Yeouinaru to Dongjak Station as a 'Walk-Friendly Greenway'

Construction Completion Targeted for December This Year
Improvement of Deteriorated Pedestrian Environment and Creation of Leisure Facilities at the South End of Hangang Bridge: Launch of the 'Hangang Riverside Pedestrian Network' Project

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul City announced on the 9th that by the end of the year, it will transform the 5.6km section along the Han River between the southern end of Hangang Bridge and Yeouinaru~Dongjak Station into an eco-friendly space where people can safely walk while feeling close to nature.

Many citizens visit this area to walk or ride bicycles while enjoying the open view of the Han River, but the narrow sidewalks and dark, outdated facilities caused inconvenience. This space will undergo a major improvement, and leisure facilities will also be created.

The riverside path from Yeouinaru Station to Wonhyo Bridge, which was covered with concrete, will become a green path within a park made of natural materials such as soil and stones. A green belt will be established between the pedestrian path and the bicycle lane, which were directly adjacent and posed a danger to pedestrians, safely separating fast-moving bicycles from walkers. On the wide path connecting Yeouido Hangang Park to Saetgang, additional cherry trees will be planted, turning it into a famous spot where cherry blossoms bloom in full every spring.

The area under Noryang Bridge on Olympic-daero, which is dark even at midday, will be brightened by removing the steel plates (between the old and new Noryang Bridge) that blocked sunlight and installing natural light lighting. A stair rest area where people can relax while looking at the Han River will also be created.

At Heukseok Nadeulmok, which is close to residential areas, a pedestrian deck connecting the Han River and residential areas will be newly built, and a zone with exercise equipment for solo workouts will be established. Rest facilities consisting of tables and benches will be created in various places so that residents can hold diverse community activities.

When the construction is completed by the end of this year, six sections of pedestrian paths divided by themes such as ‘Green Path in the Park,’ ‘Community Nadeulgil,’ and ‘Waterfront Garden Path’ will be created, along with nine leisure facilities for rest, play, and viewing that will serve as connection hubs, attracting citizens’ footsteps.

The construction is scheduled to be completed by December this year, and close collaboration will be maintained until the end among the design firm, Seoul City Urban Space Improvement Team, and Hangang Project Headquarters to ensure the project aligns with the design intent of the winning entry of the international design competition.

Shin Yong-mok, head of the Hangang Project Headquarters of Seoul City, said, “The Han River pedestrian network creation project is being promoted to create a safe walking environment through structural improvements such as separating pedestrian paths and bicycle lanes,” adding, “The Hangang Project Headquarters will use this as a model case and continue to improve inconvenient sections so that Hangang Park can become a pedestrian-centered safe park.”