Nowon-gu in Seoul announced on July 14 that it has renovated the area beneath the Nowon Station overpass (Sanggye-dong 602-5, a 300-meter section from Nowon Lotte Department Store to Exit 10 of Nowon Station on Subway Line 4), transforming this unused urban space into a green garden and an innovative street market.
With funding from the city, the district implemented the 'Green Art Street Creation Project' on the idle land under the overpass. The project involved removing the existing central divider, installing 29 planter beds, 31 lighting fixtures for plant growth, and irrigation facilities. Tree species such as Golden Euonymus and Emerald Green, which maintain greenery throughout the year, were planted to revitalize what was once a desolate space.
In addition, to prevent the disorderly expansion of street stalls and the installation of tents, the district launched the 'Nowon Innovative Street Market' project. By last year, 12 stalls had been redesigned to suit the local environment. The standard design features orange and beige colors, with three sides of the stall box open to create a sense of openness and order. Inside, sales counters, signboards, integrated air conditioners, and partitions were installed to enhance convenience for operators. This year, the district plans to add 13 more stalls.
The district aims to connect green spaces that have been divided by overpasses and roads, creating community gardens and providing pedestrians with comfort and safety. Last year, the district also completed projects to improve pedestrian environments in unique local areas, such as the underpass beneath the abandoned railway at Gongneung-dong Gyeongchun Line Forest Park and the retaining wall area at Singye Elementary School in Wolgye-dong.
Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon-gu, stated, "The space beneath the overpass, which had long been neglected and overlooked, has been reborn as a green resting place. We will continue to utilize idle spaces throughout Nowon-gu to make it a city where everyone wants to walk, considering both urban landscape and pedestrian safety."
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