Cheonggycheon River Project

Question 1

Where did the Cheonggycheon river project take place?

Answer 1

Seoul, South Korea

Question 2

What happened to the Cheonggycheon river 200 years ago?

Answer 2

Channelised and widened

Question 3

What happened to the Cheonggycheon river 40 years ago?

Impacts?

Answer 3

Piped and covered by road
Increased air pollution in the city as more cars
Made it difficult to repair the pipes as they were below ground

Question 4

How was the river restored?

Answer 4

Removed the roads over 2 years
Created bridges over the new river channel
Bus lanes added

Question 5

How much did the restoration project cost?

Answer 5

380 billion Won

Question 6

How many skilled workers were employed during the restoration project?

Answer 6

700,000

Question 7

How far did the project span?

Answer 7

5.8 km

Question 8

How many bridges were installed?
How many were pedestrian?
What did the bridges improve?

Answer 8

22 bridges
12 pedestrian
Improved the movement between the north and south of the city

Question 9

How have cars been discouraged?

Answer 9

Rapid bus lanes increased bus usage by 15%

Increase in pedestrian friendly areas

Question 10

Why did local businesses initially resist the renovation project?

Answer 10

Taught it would threaten their livelihoods

Question 11

How were the issues of local businesses addressed?

Answer 11

4,000 debate meetings held
Extra parking provided- maintain customers
Provided grants for businesses

Question 12

Why were transportation experts concerned about the highway removal?

Answer 12

Thought it would increase congestion as the highway carried 169,000 vehicles a day

Question 13

How did citizens actively contribute to the project?

Answer 13

Participating in competitions and festivals

Question 14

Successes: What does the river provide for Seoul residents?

Answer 14

A place of rest and relaxation

Improves their quality of life

Question 15

Successes: How many tourists have visited in the 10 years after the restoration?

Answer 15

190 million

Question 16

Successes: Why has the road removal been good?

Answer 16

Reduces urban air pollution

More now walk or get the bus

Question 17

Successes: How many events have been held in the 10 years since the restoration?
What makes the events even better?

Answer 17

Nearly 30,000

They are free- accessible for all

Question 18

Successes: By how much have city temperatures reduced?

Answer 18

2.5 oc

Air flows freely along the stream creating a cooling wind

Question 19

Successes: What will the project focus on in the next 50 years?

Answer 19

Improving ecology

Question 20

Successes: Where has the Cheonggycheon Museum been built?

Answer 20

On the embankment

Shows the areas history and reconstruction- tourist attraction plus has historical significance for residents

Question 21

Failures: How much does it cost to run each year?

Answer 21

$6.5 million

Question 22

Failures: Where does most of the water in the river come from?
How much each day?

Answer 22

Hangang River

120,000 tons each day

Question 23

Failures: How much have speeds slowed in the CBD due to increased congestion?

Answer 23

12.3%

Question 24

Failures: Why was some historical significance lost?

Answer 24

Historical bridges were not restored in the same location, they were moved along the river

Question 25

Failures: Why have Korean residents outside of Seoul missed out?

Answer 25

Large amounts of money invested in Seoul- less for them

Question 26

Failures: Why is it hard for the disabled to access?

What has been done to help?

Answer 26

Irregular surfaces
Poorly lit for visually impaired
Lifts installed at 7 locations, free wheelchairs for those with mobility problems