Mayor Kangsoo Park of Mapo: "Mapo to Expand Its Growth Axis Along 8.2km of the Han River"

Announcement of the "Mapo Riverside 8.2 Project"
Connecting the Inner City and Han River, Restructuring the Urban Framework Around the Han River
Establishing Hubs Integrating Tourism, Culture, and Residential Spaces

Mapo District in Seoul (Mayor Park Kangsoo) is set to fully launch the 'Mapo Riverside 8.2 Project,' which aims to redesign the urban structure along an 8.2-kilometer stretch of the Han River. The plan seeks to restore disconnected spaces along the riverside and expand the city's axis of growth toward the waterfront, ultimately creating a city where the Han River is seamlessly integrated into daily life.

On November 18, Mayor Park Kangsoo held a press conference at the Mapo 365 Community Center in Dangin-dong, stating, "The Mapo Riverside 8.2 Project marks the beginning of a major transformation, reorganizing Mapo's urban structure around the Han River to realize a new city vision. Mapo District will do its utmost to create a 'boundless Mapo,' where the Han River and the city center are seamlessly connected, ensuring sustainable urban development."

Kangsoo Park, Mayor of Mapo District, is announcing the "Mapo Riverside 8.2 Project" at the Mapo 365 Community Center in Dangin-dong on the 18th. Courtesy of Mapo District.

Mayor Park added, "While our development has previously focused on the inner city, it is now time to extend this vitality to the Han River and restructure our urban framework around it. Mapo's new leap forward will begin with the Han River." He continued, "This complex project, which organically combines culture, economy, environment, housing, and public services, is a long-term initiative looking ahead more than ten years. We will systematically implement it by organizing the project into three sectors and 34 sub-projects."

Mapo District announced three main objectives for this project: 'Hubs, a riverside you want to visit,' 'Networks, a riverside you want to walk,' and 'Contents, a riverside you want to stay.' The district will establish ten key projects and eight connecting networks. In addition, by adding 16 residential redevelopment projects, the district aims to create 'a riverside you want to live in.'

'A Riverside You Want to Visit and Stay'

The area around Mapo Terminal Node, the gateway to Mapo, will feature a media show installed on the existing 20-meter retaining wall to welcome visitors. The nearby children's park will be redeveloped into a complex cultural space, creating the 'Mapo Children 365 Center.' Public parking will also be expanded to improve accessibility.

In the Mapo Rainwater Reservoir area and the surrounding public parking lot site, the district will construct the 'Mapo 365 Culture and Sports Center,' which can be used as a performance venue and a comprehensive sports facility. By promoting integrated development in connection with Gongdeok Station, the district plans to strengthen tourism and welfare functions in the area.

The Hongdae Red Road and Dangin-dong areas will be developed into a tourism and cultural cluster linked to local assets. The district will further enhance the 'road infrastructure' connecting the Gyeongui Line Forest Park, the Red Road, and the Han River.

Mapo District explained that it is establishing a district unit plan to create street-level commercial spaces along the Red Road and develop an underground public parking lot, thereby connecting the currently interrupted Red Road from Dokmak-ro to the Dangin-ri Cultural Creation Power Plant. In particular, the route from this area to the Han River will be improved by easing elevation differences and installing a natural slope park along the riverbank.

In Hapjeong, where Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine is located, the district will create a 'Pilgrimage Trail' themed around reflection and healing, connecting the shrine to the Han River. A 'Sky Staircase' will be built at the entrance to the shrine, and spaces such as the underpass tow truck storage area will be transformed into caf?-style tourist information centers.

The relocation of the military base adjacent to the Han River in Hapjeong will continue to be pursued. The district plans to develop a premium residential complex with Han River views on this site and to establish community facilities through land contributions. In the Mangwon Terminal Node area, a rider station and the Mangwon Leisure Sports Park will be created to establish a leisure hub connected to the Han River cycling path.

Mapo 365 Community Center located by the Han River. Provided by Mapo District.

'A Riverside You Want to Walk'

The district will improve pedestrian environments such as the Han River nodes and the Dangin-ri natural slope access road, which connect the inner city to the Han River, so that residents can reach the Han River from anywhere in Mapo within 30 minutes on foot.

The Han River nodes and Dangin-ri access roads will be renovated, and pedestrian environments along major arterial roads will be improved. With the goal of creating "a Mapo where you can reach the Han River from anywhere in the city within 30 minutes," the district will systematically expand its Han River access network.

'A Riverside You Want to Live In'

The district will support 16 redevelopment projects, including the Seongsan Siyoung Apartment Reconstruction, Mangwon-dong and Hapjeong-dong Moa Towns, Ahyeon District 1 Housing Redevelopment, and Dohwa area reconstruction-major projects in northern Seoul-to enhance the quality of life next to the Han River.

Mayor Park stated, "No matter how precious and beautiful a bead may be, if it is scattered, it cannot fulfill its purpose; only when strung together does it become a true treasure. We will integrate individually pursued plans into a unified initiative from the very start."