Reducing Roadways and Expanding Pedestrian Paths... Seoul City Promotes Improvement of Walking Environment in Supyo-ro and Others

Nine Project Sites Selected by Districts and Experts
New Sidewalk Construction, Expansion, and Designation of Pedestrian-Priority Roads

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is launching a pedestrian environment improvement project that reduces road lanes and expands sidewalks. The project will first be implemented in selected areas through a public contest, targeting accident-prone zones and similar locations.

According to Seoul City on the 11th, after conducting a demand survey targeting 25 autonomous districts and consulting external experts, nine target sites were selected for the sidewalk improvement project.

Yeonhimat-ro in Seodaemun-gu (left) and Seongbuk-ro 2-gil in Seongbuk-gu, where pedestrian environment improvement projects are planned. Provided by Seoul City.

▲Jongno-gu (Supyoro) ▲Seodaemun-gu (Yeonhwimat-ro) ▲Gangseo-gu (Gangseo-ro 50-gil) ▲Dobong-gu (Sirubong-ro 1-gil) ▲Gwanak-gu (around Sadang Station) ▲Gangdong-gu (Yangjae-daero 124-gil) ▲Dongdaemun-gu (Hwikyung-ro 2-gil) ▲Seongbuk-gu (Seongbuk-ro 2-gil) ▲Songpa-gu (Yangjae-daero 72-gil and one other)

Seoul City will implement the project by dividing it into pedestrian environment improvement and pedestrian-priority road creation according to the characteristics of each site. This includes new sidewalk construction and expansion, obstacle removal, and establishment of pedestrian-priority roads.

Last year, Seoul completed pedestrian environment improvement projects at 10 sites including Mapo-gu (Eoulmadang-ro 2~26) and Jungnang-gu (Dongil-ro 139-gil). In Mapo-gu’s Eoulmadang-ro, adjacent to Hongdae Entrance Station where three subway lines intersect, the existing sidewalk width, which was narrow at 1.7m to 2m, was expanded to about 3.6m to accommodate the large number of visiting tourists to the commercial area. The roadway was also reduced from 6.1m wide (two-way) to 4.5m (one-way) to resolve illegal parking issues.

In Nowon-gu, the section from 396 to 466 Hangulbiseok-ro was renovated to enhance pedestrian safety for vulnerable groups and residents in the residential area. Due to narrow sidewalks and deteriorated pavement causing inconvenience to citizens, the sidewalk width was expanded to about 3 to 3.5m, roughly double the previous width, and repaving was completed. The bicycle lane on the outer side of the existing roadway was converted into a shared pedestrian and bicycle lane, resulting in a decrease of illegal parking by 7 vehicles on weekdays and 14 on weekends.

Additionally, road improvements for pedestrians were carried out in Gwangjin-gu’s Konkuk Mat Street section and Jungnang-gu’s Rose Light Street. Yeo Jang-kwon, Director of Seoul City’s Transportation Office, stated, "We will continue to support projects tailored to the characteristics of each district to ensure customized pedestrian environment improvements. We will maintain ongoing management so that all citizens can enjoy a safe and convenient pedestrian environment."