Livecams in Seoul, South Korea show that if governments build green areas, people will use them.
The Cheonggyecheon stream was an ambitious green restoration project. It turned six kilometers of downtown Seoul from a polluting expressway into a relaxing, tree-lined stream. In restoring the stream, 95% of the expressway’s cement and 100% of the steel was carefully salvaged and recycled.
The stream was opened to the public in 2005. Since then, it’s been a popular destination for Seoulites looking for green areas in Korea’s largest metropolis.
Surprisingly, the Cheonggyecheon is little known to foreign tourists. If you travel to Seoul and you’re looking for a breath of fresh air as well as a glimpse at the archeological sites revealed during the stream’s excavation, be sure not to miss a visit to this successful urban greening project.
The location for the modern capitol of South Korea was chosen over 600 years ago. The story of Seoul begins with a new dynasty, a monk, and a legendary stream. Around 1394, a monk sent to find the location for a new capitol city came upon an area surrounded by low mountains. The feature that gave the land the proper feng shui was a small stream, the Cheonggyecheon, running from the mountains into the mighty Han River. Swayed by the small stream, the monk convinced the early Joseon rulers that this was the perfect site for the capitol. It was to become Seoul.
However, as Seoul grew, the stream became increasingly polluted. Eventually, it was deemed a health hazard. Middle-aged Koreans today remember it as nothing more than a sewer. Finally, the order was given to pave over Cheonggyecheon stream. In 1968–South Korea’s industrial heyday–former dictator Park Chung-hee ordered an expressway over top of the ancient stream. And so it was… until the new century.
If the five easy steps in this video are not enough for you, then take a look at this list from Seoul’s 2008 Earth Day organizers of ten more ways to go green, Korean style.
If you just happen to be in Seoul this weekend, you won’t want to miss the 2008 Earth Day celebration.
No, contrary to the hopes of men across Korea, actress Kim Tae Hee will not be there wrestling in fruit salad to save the Earth. And though the celebration is on April 20 (420 to cannabis lovers), smoking a joint will get you swiftly arrested in South Korea. No fun? Don’t dispare.
There’s a great lineup of events planned to generate awareness of environmental issues and bring Koreans more in touch with their green side.
Here’s a schedule of events that will take place this Sunday in Seoul Plaza, outside Seoul City Hall.
The Cheonggyecheon stream was an ambitious green restoration project. It turned six kilometers of downtown Seoul from a polluting expressway into a relaxing, tree-lined stream. In restoring the stream, 95% of the expressway’s cement and 100% of the steel was carefully salvaged and recycled.
