Authorities plan to build a waterfront culture space called ‘Yeouimaru’ (working title) at Yeouido. The most noticeable features are the ‘pier deck’ and ‘Yium’, where Hallyu contents will be exhibited. (Image : Seoul City)
SEOUL, Aug. 25 (Korea Bizwire) – A wharf complex where people can transfer from public transportation to waterborne traffic and a large scale culture facility that will lead the Korean wave will be constructed in Yeouido, near the Han river.
Linked with Hanhwa duty free stores entering the 63 Building later this year, and the renovation of the Noryangjin Fish Market, Yeouido is expected to become a giant hub for culture and tourism.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Strategy and Finance have been planning the project for the past year, and finally announced their strategy to recover the natural quality of the Han River and develop it as a tourism destination. They divided the river into seven sections, and selected the Yeoui-Ichon area as a priority location to develop before 2018. The Yeoui-Ichon area is one of the three centers of the city, and close to Yeouinaru Station, having great accessibility. The area is the only section where the Olympic Highway doesn’t pass, so the space is not disrupted. Also there is a huge floating population and plentiful ecological resources.
Authorities plan to build a waterfront culture space called ‘Yeouimaru’ (working title) at Yeouido. The most noticeable features are the ‘pier deck’ and ‘Yium’, where Hallyu contents will be exhibited.
Boats that are up to 700 tons can come alongside the pier, and from the deck people can transfer to other transportation means such as buses, subways, bicycles and high speed ferries.
‘Yium’ will be equipped with a studio where music and video images can be produced, a contents exhibit, an event hall and a gift shop.
To attract foreign visitors, a reenactment of King Jeongjo (of Chosun dynasty) going to Hwasung will be staged on the river, and ‘Bridge festivals’ where markets, picnics and concerts will be hosted will also be developed.
To improve the natural environment along the river, wetlands will be made at Yeoui Setgang to clean the water, and eco forests including silver grass fields will be created to enlarge wildlife habitats. Some of the concrete will be removed, and various species of flora will be planted.
The total budget will be 400 billion won. Some will come from private investment, and the rest will be split 50:50 between the city and national governments. Through the project, it is expected that at least 4,000 jobs will be created until 2019.
Once the project is completed in the Yeoui-Ichon area, the remaining six sections will also go through changes.
By Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
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