Cheonggyecheon
(Hangul: 청계천) is an 8.4 km (5.2 miles) long, modern public recreation space in
downtown Seoul, South Korea. The massive urban renewal project is on the site
of a stream that flowed before the rapid post-war economic development required
it to be covered by transportation infrastructure. The $900 million project
initially attracted much public criticism but, after opening in 2005, has
become popular among city residents and tourists.
…he stream was named
Gaecheon ("open stream") after the first refurbishment project to construct
a drainage system during the Joseon Dynasty. The work, which included dredging
and bolstering the banks of the stream and building the bridges, was carried
out every 2~3 years during this period from the reign of Taejong, the third
king of the Joseon Dynasty. King Yeonjo especially undertook the refurbishment
work as a national project[1].
Gacheon was renamed to
Cheonggyecheon, its current name, during the Japanese colonial period. During
this time, financial difficulties prevented the colonialists from covering up
the stream despite several attempts to do so.[2].
After the Korean War (1950–1953), more people
migrated into Seoul to make their living and settled down along the stream in
shabby makeshift houses. The accompanying trash, sand, and waste, and
deteriorating conditions resulted in an eyesore in the city. The stream was
covered up with concrete over a 20 year period starting in 1958, and a 5.6
km-long, 16 m-wide elevated highway was completed in 1976. The area became an
example of successful industrialization and modernization of South Korea.[2] …
Source: Site oficial do Cheonggyecheon