Hongdae Red Road, Third Specialized Street Following Hapjeong-dong Sky Road and Sowon-gil Success
Closed On-street Public Parking Lot and Expanded Sidewalk Width to Improve Pedestrian-Centered Environment
Mapo-gu, Seoul (Mayor Park Gang-su) is creating the ‘Kkirikkiri Street’ in Yeonnam-dong to achieve the dual goals of ‘establishing a safe pedestrian environment’ and ‘revitalizing neighborhood commercial districts.’
‘Kkirikkiri Street’ is the third specialized street project following Hongdae Red Road and Hapjeong-dong Haneul-gil and Sowon-gil, covering a 180-meter section from 233 Donggyo-ro to 249 Donggyo-ro in Yeonnam-dong.
The Donggyo-ro area in Yeonnam-dong, the project site, is one of Mapo-gu’s main commercial districts, densely packed with various cafes and popular restaurants.
Although it is usually crowded with many visitors, pedestrians experience inconvenience due to narrow and uneven sidewalks, unmaintained street trees, and utility poles. Especially during crowded times such as Halloween and year-end holidays, there is an increased risk of crush accidents or falls.
To address these issues, the district will close 19 spaces of the on-street public parking lot located in the project section and expand the sidewalk width from the existing 2 meters to up to 4.8 meters, improving the environment centered on pedestrians.
Additionally, street trees and utility poles that obstruct passage will be relocated in the direction of sidewalk expansion, and slopes posing fall risks will be adjusted.
The district has completed preliminary procedures such as resident meetings and parking lot closure notifications, and plans to start full-scale construction from September, aiming to complete it before Halloween in October.
Through this, the district intends to prevent safety accidents caused by dense crowds during the upcoming Halloween and year-end holidays, providing an environment where visitors can enjoy safely.
A district official stated, “Kkirikkiri Street was designed as a space where couples, friends, and families can enjoy together,” adding, “We will simultaneously promote neighborhood commercial revitalization and a safe pedestrian environment.”
Mapo-gu has already confirmed that creating a safe pedestrian environment through Hongdae Red Road and Hapjeong-dong Haneul-gil and Sowon-gil revitalizes neighborhood commercial districts and increases sales.
The new ‘Kkirikkiri Street’ is also expected to have a positive impact on neighborhood commercial revitalization and regional economic development.
Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, “The specialized street creation project is an important initiative that brings positive changes to the local community and neighborhood commercial districts beyond just improving the pedestrian environment,” adding, “We will do our best to prioritize safety and convenience to further enhance the appeal of Mapo-gu.”
Meanwhile, to resolve parking inconveniences caused by the closure of the on-street public parking lot in the Donggyo-ro area of Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu is expediting the construction of a public parking lot in Yeonnam-dong. It will have a total of 96 spaces and is scheduled to be completed by the end of October.
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