[Exclusive] Seoul Considers Deck Park Installation on Hyeonchung-ro in Dongjak-gu

Up to 1km of Nodeul to Hyeonchung-ro to Be Undergrounded
Deck Park Planned for Hyeonchung-ro Section
Final Decision to Be Made After Reviewing Business Feasibility
Other Project Sites Face Difficulties Due to Public Value Concerns

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is considering installing a deck park along the Han River in Dongjak-gu, following similar initiatives in Banpo and Apgujeong. The plan aims to improve access to the Han River and alleviate traffic congestion by undergrounding nearby roads. The key challenge lies in enhancing both public value and business feasibility. The Han River deck park is part of Mayor Oh Sehoon's flagship "Great Han River" project.

According to the redevelopment industry on May 22, the city has recently begun a feasibility study on a project to underground Nodeul-ro and Hyeonchung-ro in Dongjak-gu and to build a deck park above. Seoul has signed a contract with a design firm for this purpose.

The southern end of Hangang Bridge, Olympic-daero and Nodeul-ro area. Asia Economy DB

The target area is the southern end of Hangang Bridge, specifically the sections of Nodeul-ro and Hyeonchung-ro across from Nodeul Island. These roads run parallel to Olympic-daero and are located between Nodeul Overpass and Heukseok Station. The section under consideration for undergrounding, including Nodeul Overpass, ranges from at least 300 meters to up to 1 kilometer. The section that passes by Yongyangbongjeojeong Park, situated in Bondong after crossing Hangang Bridge, is being planned for both undergrounding and the installation of a deck park above.

Both the local district and the city believe that the waterfront space in Dongjak-gu is underutilized, making the discussion of a deck park necessary. Although the area is adjacent to the Han River, accessibility is poor due to roads and sloped terrain. The goal is to underground this section, build a deck park, and create a three-dimensional connection between Yongyangbongjeojeong Park and the Han River waterfront.

The deck park is a core element of Mayor Oh's "Great Han River" project. The main objective is to greatly increase public access to the Han River by creating a large number of citizen-friendly spaces along its banks.

The issue of business feasibility is being addressed through a donation-in-kind approach. The city has proposed the installation of deck parks as donated facilities in Han River redevelopment complexes. Currently, the installation of deck parks is being discussed at Banpo Jugong Complex 1 (sections 1, 2, and 4) and Apgujeong District 3, among others.

The Hyeonchung-ro deck park differs from other projects. While previous sites involve large-scale undergrounding of Olympic-daero or Gangbyeonbuk-ro, the Hyeonchung-ro project does not specifically address additional connections with Olympic-daero. The final decision on whether to proceed will be made based on the results of the feasibility study.

Through this feasibility study, Seoul plans to examine a variety of factors, including traffic impact analysis, structural design, economic viability, and public value. If the project does not proceed as a donation-in-kind within a redevelopment project, the city will have to bear the full construction cost. Consideration of public value is also necessary. Although the project is not directly connected to the Han River, in the mid- to long-term, linkage projects with the riverfront may be discussed after the installation of the deck park.

In fact, the Han River Basin Environmental Office under the Ministry of Environment has expressed opposition to the deck park projects promoted by Seoul, citing a "lack of public value." The main beneficiaries are considered to be residents of apartment complexes, leading to the assessment that the projects lack public benefit. As a result, one project site has reported not only delays in redevelopment but also financial losses, including 11 billion won spent on design costs.

However, Seoul has recently been seeking solutions by approaching deck parks as part of an overall Han River development strategy, rather than as individual project sites. In this process, the city is reportedly considering ways to enhance public value as well as environmental impacts such as flood prevention. An industry insider said, "Given the city's policy direction to increase the use of the Han River waterfront and improve citizen access, local districts and residents are likely to show great interest in the installation of structures like deck parks," adding, "It is essential to establish clear pre-discussion standards that can objectively assess both business feasibility and public value."