Seongbuk-gu Transforms Five Vacant Lots into 'Dream Gardens'

▲ Rainwater Garden (near Goryeo University Station, Line 6) ▲ Waterside Garden (in front of Seoul Sungdeok Elementary School) ▲ Street Garden (in front of Jongam SK Apartments, Jongam-dong) ▲ Rooftop Garden (Donghwa Bio Building, Korea University Medical Center) ▲ Empty House Garden (behind Seoul Sungdeok Elementary School) Transformed into gardens for rest and healing

Seongbuk-gu, Seoul (Mayor Lee Seung-ro) has transformed five frequently visited but characterless spaces into the ‘Seongbuk Dream Gardens.’

These are ▲Rainwater Garden (near Goryeo University Station on Line 6) ▲Waterside Garden (in front of Seoul Sungdeok Elementary School) ▲Street Garden (in front of Jongam SK Apartments in Jongam-dong) ▲Rooftop Garden (Donghwa Bio Hall at Korea University Medical Center) ▲Vacant House Garden (behind Seoul Sungdeok Elementary School).

Before their transformation into gardens, these sites were vacant lots near subway stations or bus stops, or building rooftops. Although frequently used by citizens, they lacked distinctiveness, and many residents requested through the district’s main communication channel, the ‘On-site Mayor’s Office,’ that these spaces be developed into gardens where people could rest and heal.

In response, the district collaborated with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to carry out a park creation project, opening the Seongbuk Dream Gardens filled with garden trees and plants such as Emerald Green and Glass varieties on December 1. Residents visiting the Seongbuk Dream Gardens expressed delight, asking, “Is this beautiful garden really the same barren lot?”

Lee Seung-ro, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu, stated, “We will continue to actively discover garden spaces in Seongbuk-gu so that residents can find healing and leisure in neighborhood gardens.”