Environmental Restoration or Degradation?

This book looks at the complex dimensions of Seoul¿s ambitious redevelopment project on a historic stream in downtown center city: The Cheonggyecheon Stream Restoration Project. Using South Korea and the Jongro district¿s history as a resource, it delves into the decisions and actions that the mayor and Seoul Metropolitan Government carried through despite differing opinions of field professionals and local merchants. Construction took place and within 27 months, produced Seoul¿s own Cheonggyecheon Stream, now an attractive and iconic tourist destination. While many are satisfied with the final result of the added urban nature and public space to the busy metropolis, others express concern for the stream¿s costly maintenance and the unseen potential the project had during its early stages of planning and construction. Do the pros outweigh the shortcomings? This book challenges the depicted success of the stream by the media and select parties, and explores the underlying cultural, environmental, historical, and social complexities that are involved in fully understanding the depths behind the Cheonggyecheon Stream.