[Seoul District News] Gwangjin-gu Opens Gwangjin Supnaru Observatory for the First Time on June 2 · Open Tue-Sun 10 AM to 7 PM... Seocho-gu Completes Underground Wiring at Seorae Village Paris 15th Arrondissement Park... Gwanak-gu Accelerates Efforts for Higher-Level Child-Friendly City Certification
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gwangjin-gu will open the Gwangjin Supnaru Observatory (401-14 Gwangjang-dong) for the first time on June 2.
The Gwangjin Supnaru Observatory is located in the green space above Cheonho-daero, offering views of the Han River and Achasan Mountain. Construction began in September 2018 and was completed in November 2019.
Originally scheduled to open in April 2020, the opening was postponed due to the worsening COVID-19 situation. Recently, as the COVID-19 situation stabilized, the district decided to open the Gwangjin Supnaru Observatory.
The observatory site was disconnected from Achasan Mountain when Cheonho-daero was constructed in the mid-1970s. However, in 2020, with the expansion of Cheonho-daero, an underground road and green space above were created, reconnecting the green axis of Achasan Mountain. The district built the observatory to symbolize the restoration of the Achasan foothills, which had been severed by Cheonho-daero in the past.
The observatory features the artwork "Growing Forest" by artist Na Eun-jung. The Seoul Metropolitan Government held a public contest for the artwork plan, and after a public art advisory meeting, it was finally selected.
The sculpture measures 20 meters wide, 9.8 meters deep, and 23.3 meters high. It is designed as a space where visitors can enter, participate in, and appreciate the artwork. At 17 meters above ground (equivalent to the height of a 6-story building), an observation floor was created to offer views of the Han River, Achasan Mountain, and the landscape of Gwangjin-gu. Additionally, 16 structural columns and 189 skin columns were installed around the observatory.
The columns represent a dense forest, and the observatory at the top of the columns symbolizes a treehouse-like space. Vines will be planted in the lower area to gradually blend the structure with the surrounding nature over time.
The Gwangjin Supnaru Observatory will operate six days a week, from Tuesday to Sunday, and is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
To allow visitors to enjoy the sculpture after sunset, 95 firefly lights and 45 ground projection lights illuminating the columns have been installed, totaling 205 nighttime lights. The night lighting remains on until 10 p.m.
In particular, the firefly lights create an atmosphere reminiscent of fireflies flying in the forest after sunset.
Gwangjin-gu hopes that the Gwangjin Supnaru Observatory will become a healing spot for residents exhausted by COVID-19.
Seocho-gu has completed the undergrounding project of overhead wires around Paris 15th District Park to organize the tangled wires on the side streets of Seorae Village and secure the function of fire lanes.
The undergrounding project around Paris 15th District Park cost a total of 1.2 billion KRW, started in November last year, and was completed in May this year. The project covered 190 meters around Paris 15th District Park in Seorae Village, removing 7 Korea Electric Power Corporation poles and 5 communication poles, and undergrounding the overhead wires.
The district has actively promoted the "overhead wire undergrounding project" to improve pedestrian environments and urban aesthetics. In January last year, the district received recommendations for undergrounding areas from residents through the local community center, conducted site inspections, and in June established the "Seocho-gu Overhead Wire Undergrounding Project Mid- to Long-Term Plan," securing an additional budget of 2.8 billion KRW, among other efforts.
As a result, the undergrounding rate on major arterial roads is 72.55%, exceeding the Seoul city average of 60.83%. In addition to Paris 15th District Park, nine other undergrounding projects currently underway are also targeted for completion this year, with efforts being accelerated.
Kim Yoo-hong, Director of the Street Administration Division, said, "The urban landscape and pedestrian environment around Paris 15th District Park and alleyways have been further improved," adding, "We will continue to promote the overhead wire undergrounding project and aim for zero overhead wires by 2033."
On the 19th, Gwanak-gu held a regular meeting of the Gwanak-gu Child-Friendly City Promotion Committee to share the current status of the child-friendly city creation project and explore future development directions.
At the meeting, the '2022 Gwanak-gu Child-Friendly City Promotion Plan' was reviewed, and a kickoff report was presented for the 'Child Status Survey and Child-Friendly City 4-Year (2023-2026) Creation Strategy Establishment Research Project.'
The 2022 Gwanak-gu Child-Friendly City Promotion Plan pursues a total of 58 projects based on six child-friendly areas and seven policy tasks to guarantee the four major rights of children (right to survival, protection, development, and participation). The total project budget increased by about 2.1 billion KRW compared to the previous year, reaching 19.5 billion KRW.
Additionally, to reset child and youth policy directions suitable for the district's characteristics and prepare strategic projects, the 'Child Status Survey and Child-Friendly City Creation Strategy Establishment Research Project' is being conducted. This will serve as basic data to obtain the higher-level UNICEF Child-Friendly City certification in March 2024, following the child-friendly city certification in March 2020.
The main contents of the research project include ▲ assessing the perceived effectiveness of child policies in the district ▲ identifying vulnerable areas and proposing solutions ▲ gathering residents' opinions through public forums, and presenting policy recommendations and selecting key tasks based on survey results.
A district official stated, "We will continue to strive to create a community where all children, whose four major rights are guaranteed and who practice the basic spirit of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, can live well."
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