Pohang City Transforms Agricultural Waterways for Daily Complaints into Citizen Rest and Healing Spaces

Creation of Ecological Waterways and Connection of Hyeongsangang Riverside Spaces to Provide Rest and Waterside Areas for Citizens

The agricultural waterway in Saengji-ri, Yeonil-eup, Nam-gu, Pohang, is drawing attention as it is being transformed into a waterfront space where citizens can relax.

Appearance after ecological waterway construction.

This agricultural waterway has served as both a sewer and an agricultural drainage channel, resulting in years of complaints from residents due to various types of waste and foul odors.

Before the creation of the ecological waterway.

In response, the Pohang Green City Project Group decided to carry out an environmental improvement project. In May 2021, they began preliminary consultations with the Pohang-Ulleung Branch of the Korea Rural Community Corporation and, in June of the same year, held the first resident briefing and initiated the basic and detailed design services.

Following a second resident briefing in December 2021, the main construction began in June 2022 in conjunction with the 'Yeonil-eup Sewer Pipeline Improvement Project.'

The project is now in its final stages, including infrastructure and tree planting. By July, the planting of trees and installation of convenience and safety facilities will be completed, followed by a trial operation period with temporary opening, and early completion is scheduled for September.

The Saengji-ri ecological waterway stretches about 1 km and includes dredging of the existing channel, slope maintenance, maintenance of walking paths, installation of rest areas, and planting of various trees. Five disconnected sections and the Hyeongsan River walking trail are being connected with wooden bridges and crosswalks to create a waterfront space linked to the Hyeongsan River.

Kim Eungsoo, head of the Green City Project Group, stated, "We plan to plant a variety of fragrant flowers along the walking path, such as Manrihyang (Osmanthus), Cheonrihyang (Daphne), and Baekrihyang (Thyme), so that visitors can enjoy seasonal scents. We will do our best to transform the waterway, which has long been plagued by waste and odors, into a fragrant ecological stream and a healing space for local residents."