Seongnam City Transforms Seohyeon Station Public Space into an Open Urban Cultural Venue

City Enhances Pedestrian Friendliness, Safety, and Convenience

Seongnam City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Shin Sangjin) recently completed the "Seohyeon Station Public Space Design Improvement Project" to significantly enhance the pedestrian environment around Seohyeon Station, unveiling a new walking and relaxation space for citizens.

The public space at Seohyeon Station features a sprout sculpture that changes color, creating a bright and lively atmosphere. Provided by Seongnam City

This project was launched in January this year, based on on-site surveys and the collection of residents' opinions, with the aim of practically addressing user inconveniences and creating a public space that prioritizes pedestrians through the application of universal design.

After construction began in July, the city officially announced the project's completion on the 19th with an inauguration ceremony attended by over 100 citizens, featuring a pre-ceremony performance, a progress report, a lighting ceremony, and commemorative photos.

Although the pedestrian-only road near Seohyeon Station has seen heavy foot traffic, it had long been perceived as a smoking area, leading to ongoing complaints from citizens about secondhand smoke and related inconveniences. The city addressed this by installing smoking booths and rearranging trees and facilities to clearly separate pedestrian and smoking routes, thereby creating a safer and more pleasant walking environment.

Additionally, on the Metasequoia Road facing Seohyeon Station, sprout sculptures and floor sensor lighting were introduced to brighten what was previously a dim pedestrian environment compared to the surrounding commercial area, greatly enhancing nighttime safety.

Furthermore, three specialized gardens were newly created to provide unique spaces for relaxation and leisure within the city, adding a distinctive atmosphere, and public Wi-Fi was installed to improve visitor convenience.

A Seongnam City official stated, "We will continue to expand the public space design improvement project, which has been ongoing since 2014, so that citizens can experience even better changes in their daily lives."