A botanical city of expansive urban green spaces
The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) is promoting the Botanical Seoul Project to replenish the gray urban landscape of concrete structures with lush greenery. This project has been established based on the four initiatives of “emptiness,” “link, “nature” and “vibes.” The total area of parks in Seoul has increased from 168.16 square kilometers in 2009 to 172.68 square kilometers in 2022. However, the area of parks of walking distance per capita is a mere 5.65 square meters, excluding national parks and other outskirt forests, having citizens feel that there are not enough parks in their neighborhoods.
Emptiness | Transforming empty land lots into a botanical garden with wildflowers
The packed city will be emptied to create public urban green spaces with many things to see. Botanical gardens will be create to replace unused land lots in Songhyeon-dong, Yongsan Park, and Cultural Facility Lot of Magok District 3 as well as roads including Yeongdong-daero, Gukhoe-daero, and Gyeongbu Expressway will be bored underground for citizens to enjoy urban green spaces throughout the city.
Link | Planting pine trees in Seoul Plaza and creating easier and shorter courses on Seoul Trail
Parks and trails will be “linked” for citizens to enjoy leisure in urban green spaces in their everyday lives. The city will promote its Green Paths Project to improve and connect isolated urban green spaces, creating a green network of 2,063 kilometers by 2026. Also, the city will renovate Seoul Trail with a broader selection of courses and upgraded accessibility for subway users. Moreover, the city will revamp Seoul Plaza, which lacked enough rest area, with tall pines and benches for people to relax and spend time under natural shades. In addition, the city will link Cheongwadae, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul Station, Nodeul Island, and southern part of the Hangang River with flowers and trees as part of the National Landmark Boulevard Project.
Nature | Opening the Namsan Forest Museum and turning urban waterways into “water gardens”
While the Great Hangang Project and the Waterfront Project previously announced by the city focused on building additional facilities, the Botanical Seoul Project targets at creating rest areas where citizens can enjoy the natural environment of waterways and mountains of the city. The forests and natural resources of Namsan Mountain will be used to establish the Namsan Forest Museum that features plant species of Korea near the Namsan Outdoor Botanical Garden. Furthermore, areas in Hangang Park will be planted with flowers for people to feel the nature. The Water Garden Project intended to convert urban waterways to ecological and leisure attractions will be implemented in four spots, including Bulgwangcheon and Mukdongcheon Streams.
Vibes | Large-scale botanical gardens with flowers
The city aims to make its gardens representative tourist attractions and to this end, it will develop related content, including the Seoul International Garden Show, as well as revamp old parks and build additional campgrounds along with recreational forests. The Seoul Garden Show will be held for two months this year at World Cup Stadium and Haneul Park, and for six months starting next year renamed as the Seoul International Garden Show. Six themed gardens are also planned for installation in Songhyeon-dong, Magok District 3, Haneul Park, Seoul Iris Garden, Yulhyeon Park, and Boramae Park. Furthermore, the city will conduct a public campaign open to citizens and businesses to plant more trees and take active part in the Botanical Seoul Project.
Source: https://mediahub.seoul.go.kr/archives/2008038