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| A computer-generated image of a proposed gondola cable car to be built over Han River / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government |
City to install gondola lift over river, utilize UAM transportation system
By Jun Ji-hye
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has set its sights on innovating the capital's infrastructure along the Han River in a bid to strengthen the image and global appeal of the metropolis, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon announced Thursday.
Under the Great Hangang (Han River) project, the city government will increase the convenience features and attractiveness of the capital, while attempting to protect the natural ecology around the river to let residents and tourists enjoy the waterfront.
The Great Hangang project is an upgraded version of the Hangang Renaissance project pursued by Oh when he was mayor back in 2007.
The Hangang Renaissance project was mainly aimed at modernizing outdated and decrepit facilities, while restoring nature and ecological systems.
"Seoul industrialized so quickly and this resulted in a lack of green spaces and cultural and leisure facilities for people," Oh, who was elected again in 2021, said during a media briefing. "While the Hangang Renaissance project focused only on the main stream of the river, the Great Hangang will change Han River's tributaries and nearby areas as well."
The mayor announced 55 specific tasks to be pursued for under the Great Hangang project.
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| Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon announces his plans to push for the Great Hangang project at Seoul City Hall, Thursday. Yonhap |
To make the most use of the river, the city government will relax urban planning regulations.
Seoul city will minimize height limits and other regulations for Yongsan Dreamhub ― a large international complex of offices, malls, hotels and apartments on a 560,000-square-meter lot in the Yongsan District ― and other key areas near Han River. These areas also include Yeouido ― Seoul's main financial district.
The Jamsil Sports Complex, also known as the Seoul Sports Complex, in Songpa District will be transformed into a hub for global meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions tourism (MICE). To that end, the city government plans to finalize negotiations with a builder and have construction begin by the end of next year.
The city government will also renovate residential areas to create diversified skylines along the river and connect apartment complexes to the river via walkways.
New cultural facilities will be built, including a second Sejong Center for the Performing Arts and a cultural yard in Yeouido.
The Jamsu Bridge, the lower level of the Banpo Bridge, will be transformed into a cultural space by 2026 to allow people to watch movies and enjoy small-scale performances.
Construction of new marinas in the Jamsil and Ichon areas will begin in 2025 so people can enjoy a variety of water sports.
To make it easier to get to the waterfront, gondola cable cars will be installed over the river at locations that require transportation connections between Gangbuk (north of the Han River) and Gangnam (south of the river) as well as major tourist attractions.
Seoul city plans to utilize Urban Air Mobility (UAM) as a tourist attraction with the aim of commercializing the service in 2025 after test operations next year.
The city government will also build footbridges on Nodeul Island, Seonyu Island and Seoul Forest.
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| A computer-generated image shows proposed developments on Nodeul Island on Han River. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government |
Seven pedestrian passageways all over the river will be built or expanded by 2030 to ensure that people can reach any riverside park within 10 minutes on foot from any waterfront area.
A number of viewing spots offering bird's-eye views of the capital city will be created along the river, beginning with Seoul Ring, a Ferris wheel with a diameter of 180 meters that will be located at an eco-themed park in the northwestern suburb of Sangam-dong.
Seoul Ring will be the world's second-largest Ferris wheel, the city government said, noting that the construction project is set to break ground in June 2025, with the goal of completion by December 2027.
"A number of construction projects involving the Great Hangang project will be carried out through private investments," the mayor said. "We will work to conduct the projects according to plan with minimal finances."
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