Hanam and Namyangju Open Path for Win-Win Cooperation with Eco-Friendly Suspension Bridge Connecting Han River

Hanam and Namyangju to Create a Waterfront Tourism Belt
Restoring the Han River's Ecological Corridor with a "Pierless Suspension Bridge"
A New Landmark on the Han River Anticipated

Hanam City and Namyangju City, which share the natural resource of the Han River, are creating an "eco-friendly suspension bridge" that ecologically connects the two previously separated cities, setting a model for large-scale interregional cooperation.

Hanam City and Namyangju City are holding a report meeting for the 'Joint Research Project on Eco-Friendly Linked Development Plan for the Han River Waterfront Based on Win-Win Cooperation between Hanam City and Namyangju City,' which is being jointly promoted on the 22nd. Provided by Hanam City

Hanam City (Mayor Lee Hyunjae) announced on the 22nd that it held a report meeting for the "Joint Research Project on the Eco-Friendly Linked Development Plan for the Han River Waterfront Based on Win-Win Cooperation between Hanam City and Namyangju City," which is being jointly promoted with Namyangju City to develop Han River waterfront tourism resources that have been neglected due to excessive overlapping regulations.

This report meeting was organized to review the practical implementation plan for the "Financial business agreement (MOU) on Joint Development of Tourism Resources" signed in July, following the launch of the Win-Win Cooperation Council for Eco-Friendly Waterfront Tourism Development in the Northeastern Gyeonggi region in May last year, and to share a concrete blueprint that will shape the future of both cities. In addition, the two cities formed a task force team in August last year and have since engaged in in-depth discussions.

The most significant achievement of this study is the selection of the "eco-friendly suspension bridge" as the optimal connecting facility between Hanam City and Namyangju City. The two cities excluded the environmentally destructive aspects of large-scale bridge construction and chose a suspension bridge format that does not require the installation of piers or main towers in the main stream of the Han River, thereby completely preventing disruption to the aquatic ecosystem and avoiding interference with the river flow. This has set a new standard for "eco-friendly development."

The suspension bridge is designed as a pedestrian-oriented passage, contributing to carbon neutrality and serving as a "bridge of regional cooperation" that preserves the Han River's waterfront ecosystem while promoting exchanges between residents of both areas. As a result, Hanam's Misa Regatta Park and Han River riverside, together with Namyangju's Sampae District, are expected to be integrated into a single eco-friendly tourism belt.

This joint research goes beyond simple facility construction, focusing on "value-centered development" that enhances the quality of life for local residents and revitalizes the local economy. According to the report, the two cities will continuously develop eco-friendly content focused on extended stays and experiential tourism, rather than simple consumption-based tourism, based on three main strategies: "environment-centered," "value-centered," and "regional cooperation."

In particular, at the interim report meeting held at the end of December, a thorough analysis of the site's conditions and a comparative review of alternatives confirmed that the "eco-friendly suspension bridge (cable-stayed bridge)" was the optimal solution, best meeting multiple criteria such as environmental impact, landscape, and functionality.

Additionally, the meeting also discussed plans to expand large-scale tourism infrastructure such as cable cars connecting the Han River waterfront with Mount Geomdan and Mount Yebong. These were identified as effective means to maximize the site's potential and were proposed as medium-term linked projects to be pursued step by step after the eco-friendly suspension bridge is established and tourism conditions mature.

Lee Hyun-jae, Mayor of Hanam, and Joo Kwang-deok, Mayor of Namyangju, are holding a briefing session on the "Joint Research Project for Eco-friendly Linked Development Plan along the Han River Waterfront Based on Win-Win Cooperation between Hanam City and Namyangju City" on the 22nd. Provided by Hanam City

Lee Hyunjae, Mayor of Hanam, stated, "This project will be a major turning point, generating the synergy of 'large-scale interregional cooperation' between Hanam and Namyangju through the common denominator of the Han River. While restoring the disrupted ecological corridor with the eco-friendly suspension bridge, we will also gradually implement measures to improve accessibility, such as expanding parking lots, establishing new bus routes, and connecting Geomdansan Station and Paldang Station, so that everyone can enjoy the nation's best waterfront space without inconvenience."

Meanwhile, Hanam City and Namyangju City plan to complete this study by February after further reviewing the safety and environmental protection measures raised at the report meeting. They aim to finalize the feasibility review and other administrative procedures by 2027, ushering in a new era of eco-friendly waterfront tourism representing northeastern Gyeonggi Province.