Pohang City Accelerates 'Haksancheon Ecological Stream Restoration Project' as a Stepping Stone for Urban Waterfront Environmental Restoration

Removing Artificial Structures to Provide Habitat for Aquatic Flora and Fauna... Restoring a Healthy Natural Environment

Pohang City, a bird's-eye view of the Haksancheon Ecological Stream Restoration Project, a stepping stone for urban waterfront environment restoration.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] Pohang City in Gyeongbuk is tirelessly accelerating the ‘Haksancheon Ecological Stream Restoration Project,’ a stepping stone for urban waterfront environmental restoration.

The ‘Haksancheon Ecological Stream Restoration Project’ is a project investing 40.4 billion KRW to demolish the covered road section 900m long and 23m wide, stretching from the railway forest in Uhyun-dong to the Jungang-dong Administrative Welfare Center and Dongbin Inner Port, and restore it as an ecological stream.

Through this, a walking trail and water-friendly ecological experience space will be created along the stream, and aquatic plants for water purification will be planted to create a waterfront accessible space where various generations can gather, with plans to return it to citizens by 2023.

Starting in February 2017 with a feasibility study and basic plan establishment for the four major urban streams in Pohang, the project opened the curtain on the ecological stream restoration project. Over time, numerous administrative procedures and consultations with related organizations were conducted, and residents’ opinions were gathered through public briefings, laying the foundation for the ecological stream restoration project.

In December 2018, Haksancheon was selected as the pilot project site among the four major urban streams, and the following year, a restoration plan for Haksancheon was established, and basic and detailed design services, including site status surveys and water quality investigations, were initiated.

Although residents and merchants around the project section strongly opposed the project citing concerns about negative effects after completion, Pohang City maintained a strong commitment to the ecological stream restoration project by holding multiple briefings and individual consultations to persuade residents.

Since the groundbreaking of the Haksancheon Ecological Stream Restoration Project in February last year, about a year has passed, and the construction has progressed significantly.

Last summer, through the ‘Pohang Middle School Summer Vacation 007 Operation,’ construction in front of Pohang Middle School was completed within the short summer vacation of about a month to ensure student safety.

This involved burying a stormwater pipe along a 120m section in front of Pohang Middle School and relocating the fence, school gate, and baseball field fence 4m backward for new installation. Although the schedule was tight, the construction was safely completed thanks to much cooperation and understanding from the school.

Haksancheon Ecological Stream Restoration Project.

The area in front of the former Suhyup Frozen Warehouse, where construction is currently underway, is where the water flows of Dongbin Inner Port and Haksancheon meet. Until now, the waterway was hidden under concrete pipes, but now we can directly see and experience the clear flowing water with our own eyes.

This year, the connection road in front of the former Suhyup and the bridge in front of the Jungang-dong Administrative Welfare Center will be completed in the first half of the year, and in the second half, the stormwater pipe installation will be completed from Uhyun Urban Forest to Daesin Apartment.

Pohang City plans to continue creating an ecologically healthy natural environment by removing artificial structures and providing movement corridors and habitats for aquatic flora and fauna through this project. It will also provide an eco-friendly waterfront space that serves as a place of solace for citizens, thereby improving their quality of life.

A city official said, “Although one year has passed since the Haksancheon Ecological Stream Restoration Project began, there are still 1 year and 8 months left until completion,” adding, “During the remaining time, we hope to think more deeply and listen to the voices of citizens so that nature and humans can coexist and this can become a solid stepping stone for the restoration of Pohang’s urban streams.” He also said, “We thank the citizens for their understanding and cooperation despite various inconveniences in daily life and traffic, and we will continue to strive to minimize these inconveniences.”