Discussion on Facility Operator and Investment Plan Following Blueprint Release
Basic Design Work Began Early This Year... Construction May Start as Early as the Second Half
Ongoing Discussion on Flood Countermeasures and Visitor Safety Measures
The Seoul Metropolitan Government is accelerating efforts to convert Jamsu Bridge into the Han River's first pedestrian-only bridge. Having unveiled the blueprint to transform the entire Jamsu Bridge into a cultural space, the city is now set to establish detailed flood countermeasures as well as plans for facility management and phased investments.
According to the maintenance industry on the 17th, Seoul recently began discussions centered on the 'Jamsu Bridge Cultural Space Operation Plan.'
In 2023, Seoul declared its intention to transform the 795-meter-long Jamsu Bridge, connecting Seobinggo-dong in Yongsan-gu and Banpo-dong in Seocho-gu, into the Han River's first pedestrian bridge by 2026. Last year, an international design competition was held, and the Dutch design firm 'Arch Mist' was ultimately selected with their work titled 'The Longest Art Gallery in the World.'
A bird's-eye view submitted by Dutch architectural firm Archi-Mist proposing to transform Jamsu Bridge into the "world's longest art gallery." Seoul City
This project is designed to allow citizens to experience artworks in three dimensions on Jamsu Bridge while enjoying panoramic views of the Han River. Basic design work began earlier this year, and the final detailed design is currently underway, with construction scheduled to start in the second half of the year.
In line with this, Seoul plans to establish an operation plan for the cultural space. The aim is to prepare in advance the organizational structure responsible for creating and managing the cultural space, as well as plans for space utilization and management entities. Particularly, to ensure efficient operation of the cultural space, the management will be reviewed through various models such as private, public, and public-private partnerships. Depending on whether the operation is direct management, private consignment, or public-private cooperation, the scale of investment will vary, which will inevitably affect the scope of cultural space utilization.
Measures to address flooding issues, which have been consistently raised since the announcement of the pedestrian-only bridge conversion, will also be prepared. The originally planned 'aerial pedestrian bridge' within Jamsu Bridge has been withdrawn in consideration of experts' concerns that it could be damaged by heavy rain and floods and might impose structural burdens on Banpo Bridge. Additionally, basic safety measures to accommodate the increased number of Jamsu Bridge users, operational plans for the rainy season, and budget securing strategies will be considered.
The full pedestrianization of Jamsu Bridge is one of the core projects of the Great Han River Project (Han River Renaissance 2.0) announced by Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon in 2023. Completed in 1976, Jamsu Bridge is the shortest Han River bridge at 765 meters long and 18 meters wide, with a low height that makes it easily accessible on foot. This is why Seoul chose Jamsu Bridge as the first site for full pedestrianization.
The surrounding area is rich in connected infrastructure such as Sebitseom and Banpo Hangang Park. Seoul held a design competition to develop this area into a waterfront attraction where citizens can walk and enjoy themselves, with a planned construction budget of 16.5 billion KRW. In 2023, the luxury brand Louis Vuitton also drew attention by holding a fashion show here.
A bird's-eye view submitted by Dutch architectural firm Archi-Mist proposing to transform Jamsu Bridge into the "world's longest art gallery." Seoul City
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