What might seem like an ordinary stream is actually a testament to modern engineering. These are pictures of an old downtown highway in Seoul, South Korea, which was transformed into an eco-friendly park. In 2003, this South Korea restoration project, called the Cheonggyecheon Restoration Project, removed the highway dividing the city between the North and South. The stream was then recovered and turned into this awe-inspiring park.
The Cheonggyecheon Restoration Project took two years to complete and cost roughly $300 million, but it now provides a thriving stretch of green public space in the middle of Seoul, South Korea.
Streams from Streets
South Korea Restoration Project Turns Highway into a Green Park
Trend Themes
1. Eco-friendly Infrastructure - The Cheonggyecheon Restoration Project in Seoul provides an example of how old highways can be transformed into eco-friendly parks, offering opportunities for businesses in the construction and urban planning industries to develop new sustainable projects.
2. Restorative Urban Development - The restoration of Cheonggyecheon into a green park provides a potential disruptive innovation opportunity for cities to recycle their urban spaces in ways that restore the environment and improve quality of life for citizens.
3. Green Tourism - The project transformed a formerly polluted area into an attractive green space that appeals to tourists seeking eco-friendly travel options, creating opportunities for businesses in the tourism industry to develop new sustainable travel products and services.
Industry Implications
1. Construction - Construction companies can capitalize on the trend towards eco-friendly infrastructure by developing new methods and technologies for repurposing urban spaces.
2. Urban Planning - Urban planners can use the Cheonggyecheon Restoration Project as a model for restorative urban development and apply similar principles in other cities.
3. Tourism - The Cheonggyecheon Restoration Project turned a formerly polluted area into a popular tourist attraction, providing opportunities for businesses in the tourism industry to promote sustainable travel and eco-friendly tourism products.