What on earth did they do under the dimly lit bridge...

Seocho-gu Transforms 82 Locations, Including in Front of Girls' High School, into Walkable Streets through 'Urban Canvas' Project

The dark and bleak retaining wall, stairs, and underpass space in front of a girls' high school have been transformed into an attractive artistic space illuminated with light.

Before and after views of the urban canvas under Umyeon Bridge. Provided by Seocho-gu.

Seocho-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jeon Seong-su) announced on the 21st that through the 'Seocho Urban Canvas' project, it is upgrading old alley retaining walls and neglected underpasses into artistic spaces to improve the urban landscape.

Started in 2016, the 'Seocho Urban Canvas' project is also called an urban gallery creation project, aiming to protect pedestrian safety while providing visual attractions and entertainment.

The recent project site is the space under Umyeon Bridge. The previously dark and deteriorated area was brightened and made safe to improve the pedestrian environment, applying designs and expression techniques suitable for the location to create a differentiated theme. The existing space under Umyeon Bridge was dark and included a bicycle rental station, causing difficulties for pedestrian passage. Residents also requested improvements to the space.

The district installed bright and fresh flower pots to separate bicycle parking and pedestrian areas, and placed a circular sculpture symbolizing the ripple of water to create an eye-catching and attractive space. At night, circular LED lights above the sculpture illuminate the ground, making it a safe and pleasant street for pedestrians.

The district also conducted a survey of about 140 residents near the Urban Canvas installation sites regarding satisfaction with the artwork, environmental improvements, and favorite aspects. As a result, 82% responded that they were satisfied, with particularly high satisfaction in design and artistic elements.

Seocho-gu has created a total of 82 Urban Canvas sites so far, including the retaining wall and stairs in front of Seomun Girls' High School, under Seocho 1 Bridge, and Umyeon Bridge, enhancing the urban landscape and striving to make Seocho a place where art is enjoyed in everyday life.

Mayor Jeon Seong-su said, “We will continue to make efforts to create an urban landscape filled with culture and arts in residents' daily lives and to provide a safe pedestrian environment.”