“The Road From Apartment to Han River Is Dark and Dangerous”…Banpo ‘This Park’ Gets Approved, Apgujeong, Seongsu, and Yongsan Also Celebrate [The Future of Parks ⑨]

Han River Basin Environmental Office Grants River Use Approval on August 7

Banpo Hangang Canopy Park Opens the Door as Seoul's First Canopy Park

Ripple Effect Expected in Apgujeong, Seongsu, Yongsan, and Beyond

Editor's NoteGray Seoul is transforming. Moving away from the idea that "there is no land left to build houses," an urban strategy that simultaneously pursues high-density development and the expansion of green space is beginning to take shape throughout the city center. Converting infrastructure once considered public nuisances into parks, building parks with water management functions, and developing deck parks and rooftop gardens, are all experiments to turn the gray city into a green one. Green spaces are more than just places for relaxation—they are climate-resilient infrastructure that cools heatwaves and absorbs rainwater, and serve as a public asset that directly impacts quality of life. However, disparities in green space by region, which can differ by as much as 20 times, have led to welfare discrimination and climate inequality. The Asia Business Daily visits places on the cusp of change to examine how green transitions are reshaping the economy, industry, and daily life in the city. We spotlight how a new urban paradigm, where green space and development coexist rather than compete, will redefine Seoul’s future.

A deck park project with a total investment of KRW 100 billion, covering up to 12 lanes of the Olympic-daero, is now taking off in earnest. The project is a public facility promoted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government through a land donation approach in reconstruction and redevelopment areas to improve citizens’ access to the Han River. The route to Banpo Hangang Park in Seocho-gu, Seoul—which has long drawn criticism for its poor pedestrian accessibility—is now set for a major transformation.

The first deck park in Seoul, the Banpo Deck Park in Seocho-gu, has faced numerous difficulties due to persistent disagreements between the city government and the Han River Basin Environmental Office. Over several months, the city made multiple revisions to its plan and, on August 7, finally received river occupation approval from the Han River Basin Environmental Office under the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment. Construction of the first deck park to directly connect an apartment complex to a Han River park by spanning the Olympic-daero could begin as early as next year.

Photo of the underground passage connecting Banpo Hangang Park in Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, and the Banpo Jugong 1 Complex redevelopment site on the 26th. Despite being daytime, the atmosphere was dark and damp. Photo by Seong Ah Sim

Dangerous, Dark, and Difficult... The Challenging Path to the Han River

On August 26, the reporter got off at Gubanpo Station on Subway Line 9 and passed through the Banpo Jugong 1 Complex reconstruction site, where a sign reading "300 meters to Hangang Park" came into view. However, beyond the sign, instead of an open view of the river, only the non-stop traffic whizzing by on the Olympic-daero could be seen. Despite following the signs, the confusing landscape left one unsure if the path actually led to the river.

After walking in the indicated direction for more than five minutes, a flight of stairs finally appeared, leading to a dark and damp underground pedestrian passage. Only after passing through this dim, moist tunnel during the daytime did Hangang Park finally open up ahead. With the recent river occupation approval, meaningful changes are finally underway for the previously unfriendly pedestrian route to Banpo Hangang Park.

On the 26th, an underground passage connecting Banpo Hangang Park in Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, and the reconstruction site of Banpo Jugong Complex 1. Photo by Sim Sunga

Banpo Deck Park: Approved After Prolonged Dispute

Previously, the Banpo Jugong 1 Complex reconstruction association offered the creation of a deck park as a public contribution, along with building a school and public offices, in exchange for a 15-percentage-point increase in floor area ratio. The Seoul Metropolitan Government took the lead in the design process to maximize public benefit and improve citizen access to Hangang Park.

To install a deck park or a three-dimensional pedestrian bridge within the national river area of the Han River, river occupation approval must be obtained from the Han River Basin Environmental Office. However, sharp differences between Seoul City and the Han River authority had stalled the project’s progress.

The Han River authority repeatedly raised concerns about the safety of installing large structures within the national river area, particularly in the event of flooding. Additionally, they strongly pointed out that creating a large-scale park immediately in front of a private apartment complex could easily transform the space into a de facto private park monopolized by residents, undermining its status as a public asset.

Following a modification to the national river master plan, a path was opened for each redevelopment area to obtain its river occupation permit individually. The city revised its design, applying for a permit with modifications—such as reducing the park’s length from the original 200 meters to approximately 110 meters, thereby addressing safety and public-access concerns. The Han River authority recently granted final river occupation approval for Banpo Deck Park.

Aerial view of Banpo Hangang Covered Park, Seocho-gu, Seoul. Seoul City

With this approval, a three-dimensional park measuring 110 meters in length, 60 meters in width, and covering a total area of about 6,000 square meters will be built above the Olympic-daero in Banpo-dong. According to the city, the total project budget is estimated at KRW 100 billion.

The park will feature a T-shaped design that starts from the entrance plaza of the complex, passes through green walking trails, and leads directly to the Han River. Once completed, the park is expected to completely eliminate the discomfort citizens have long endured when using the dark and unpleasant underground passageways.

Deck Parks Planned in Apgujeong, Seongsu, and Yongsan as Well

With the administrative breakthrough for the Banpo project, other major riverside redevelopment areas are also expected to be affected in turn.

Perspective view of Banpo Hangang Deck Park, Seocho-gu, Seoul. Seoul Metropolitan Government

Currently, in addition to Banpo, the city government is actively pushing for deck parks in strategic redevelopment areas along the Han River, such as Apgujeong District 3 in Gangnam, the Seongsu Strategic Redevelopment Zone in Seongdong-gu, and the Yongsan International Business District in Yongsan-gu. The idea is to restore the connection between downtown and the Han River, previously blocked by roads, and thereby increase the value of the entire city.

The Apgujeong District 3 reconstruction plan features a northern deck facility (the Han River Deck Park) covering 20,000 square meters—twice the size of Seoul Plaza. Intended for use by not only the 5,175 households in Apgujeong District 3 but also the general public, it is designed as a public facility. The project envisions a deck park above the Olympic-daero, allowing for convenient travel between the Apgujeong area and the Han River.

The Yongsan International Business District plans to utilize space from the underground to ground level and even the airspace above, securing green areas equivalent in size to 100 percent of the site area. Notably, an 80,000-square-meter aerial green zone (Green Square) will be created above the southern railway tracks of Yongsan Station and at the center of the business zone. This three-dimensional park—directly connecting the Han River Park with Yongsan Station—will serve as a major landmark. A 40-meter-wide, 1-kilometer-long U-shaped green belt (Green Curve), along with a linear green corridor connecting surrounding areas, will organically link green spaces both inside and outside the Yongsan International Business District.

Previously, due to the Han River authority's firm opposition, it seemed impossible to build deck parks. However, with the approval of the Banpo Deck Park, other deck park projects are also expected to move forward. Since the scale and structure of the Banpo Deck Park were repeatedly revised to meet the Han River authority's requirements, other sites will also need to prepare plans that comply with these standards.

Now that the Seoul Metropolitan Government can proceed with construction, it is important to note that a construction period of at least two years will be necessary after groundbreaking. This means that the park is unlikely to be completed by the scheduled move-in date of November next year for new residents at the Banpo Jugong 1 Complex. A city official stated, "The project is progressing smoothly," and added, "We are aiming to break ground around September to October next year, following a year of implementation plan approvals and other procedures."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.