57
and pressure from rapid economic development in the 1960s that required more
roads and an easing of traffi c congestion. That is why, in 1968, the Cheonggye
Elevated Highway was constructed over Cheonggyecheon. Table 3.3 summarizes
the history of Cheonggyecheon from two aspects: streams status and leaders’ attitude to its control.
3.3.3.2 Paradigm Change for Urban Development
There has been a paradigm change and a new vision for this area of Seoul. In 2003,
after about 40 years of neglecting Cheonggyecheon, the restoration project was
begun following the introduction of environmentally sound and sustainable development (ESSD) with the key idea of urban development sustainability. The paradigm of urban planning is shifting from a growth-oriented or quantitative growth
model—by expanding urban spaces based on transport requirements, large-scale
investment, development effect, facilities development and strategic point development—to a growth management or qualitative growth model based on humanism
and naturalism, pedestrian requirements, quality of life improvement, benefi t/management, developing “soft” programs, and a network system.
The project was led by the City of Seoul, especially by the mayor, Lee Myungbak (the President of Republic of Korea later), who showed a clear vision. More
than 70% of the citizens supported the restoration. The vision was to create an
environment-friendly city space with an emphasis on nature and people, solving the
safety problem related to covered structures, recovering the 600-year-old capital
city’s historic and cultural signifi cance, promoting balanced regional development,
and providing a “hands-on eco experience” to millions of citizen [ 14 ].
3.3.3.3 Implementation of Cheonggyecheon and Public Participation
This restoration project had wide-ranging public participation. The master plan
included dismantling the elevated highway and the structures covering the stream,
Table 3.3 History of Cheonggyecheon
Stream status
Leaders’ attitude to
waterway control
1400s–1500s
Natural and artifi cial stream
People’s interest
1600s
Stream sustaining the city life; abandoned
to natural control
Scholar’s interest
1700s
Dredging, controlled stream
Strong leadership
from king
1800s
Less controlled stream
1960s
Unsanitary sewer and slum
Less interest
1970s–1980s
Highway for industrialization
Development oriented
1900s–2000s
Old market selling everything; declining traffi c,
population and environmental contamination
3 APIEL Compulsory Course: Environmental Challenges and Leadership in Asia
and pressure from rapid economic development in the 1960s that required more
roads and an easing of traffi c congestion. That is why, in 1968, the Cheonggye
Elevated Highway was constructed over Cheonggyecheon. Table 3.3 summarizes
the history of Cheonggyecheon from two aspects: streams status and leaders’ attitude to its control.
3.3.3.2 Paradigm Change for Urban Development
There has been a paradigm change and a new vision for this area of Seoul. In 2003,
after about 40 years of neglecting Cheonggyecheon, the restoration project was
begun following the introduction of environmentally sound and sustainable development (ESSD) with the key idea of urban development sustainability. The paradigm of urban planning is shifting from a growth-oriented or quantitative growth
model—by expanding urban spaces based on transport requirements, large-scale
investment, development effect, facilities development and strategic point development—to a growth management or qualitative growth model based on humanism
and naturalism, pedestrian requirements, quality of life improvement, benefi t/management, developing “soft” programs, and a network system.
The project was led by the City of Seoul, especially by the mayor, Lee Myungbak (the President of Republic of Korea later), who showed a clear vision. More
than 70% of the citizens supported the restoration. The vision was to create an
environment-friendly city space with an emphasis on nature and people, solving the
safety problem related to covered structures, recovering the 600-year-old capital
city’s historic and cultural signifi cance, promoting balanced regional development,
and providing a “hands-on eco experience” to millions of citizen [ 14 ].
3.3.3.3 Implementation of Cheonggyecheon and Public Participation
This restoration project had wide-ranging public participation. The master plan
included dismantling the elevated highway and the structures covering the stream,
Table 3.3 History of Cheonggyecheon
Stream status
Leaders’ attitude to
waterway control
1400s–1500s
Natural and artifi cial stream
People’s interest
1600s
Stream sustaining the city life; abandoned
to natural control
Scholar’s interest
1700s
Dredging, controlled stream
Strong leadership
from king
1800s
Less controlled stream
1960s
Unsanitary sewer and slum
Less interest
1970s–1980s
Highway for industrialization
Development oriented
1900s–2000s
Old market selling everything; declining traffi c,
population and environmental contamination
3 APIEL Compulsory Course: Environmental Challenges and Leadership in Asia