Green and Sustainable Transportation in Republic of Korea (part 2)

Continuing the previous note of mine. This is also my story of my first day in Seoul City, Visiting Gyengui Line Forest Park, A Public Park in Seoul City Center, designed by Prof. Sung-Kyun Kim, PhD.

Outside of Hotel Hoam Faculty House, SNU, I noticed that the arrangement of circulation space in the form of the road body and shoulders charmingly furnished with clear markers and zebra-cross. In addition, the arrangement of plants are also harmonious.

On the way from the campus of Seoul National University to Gyeongui Line Forest Park, I was capturing interesting sights on the way. The road surface is flat without bumps nor median walls. Traffic lane markings are arranged well, writings, signages and symbols are painted white and yellow, there are traffic lights at the proper points and signages at some points in proportional intervals.

The traffic on Sunday afternoon is pretty crowded especially around the church. But no matter how big the traffic can be, the situation is remained orderly control and keep moving although a bit slowly, because between the lines for vehicles groove are wide enough, bounded by clear markers, and the vehicles are not out of the lines. We drove through Sangdo Tunnel before Hangang Daegyo (Hangang Big Bridge), the first bridge on the Hangang River which was built in 1916. The interesting thing I noticed in the tunnel and on the bridge is the availability of spaces and safe facilities for pedestrians.

Visiting Gyengui Line Forest Park, A Public Park in Seoul City Center, designed by Sung-Kyun Kim, PhD. I noted many things to learn from.

Pedestrian paths inclined surfaces flat or ramps and and descending gracefully, so it is safe from stumblings. Paved by using natural materials of varied colors and textures, and still be able to absorb the water into the earth.

Pedestrian lane surface paving materials are not waterproof, so when it rains the water can still absorb into the earth. Being in this park, we can enjoy the performance of colors and textures on the pavement surface. Quite a lot of cyclists go and come, and stop by to enjoy the atmosphere of the park.

There elongated bench as limiting lawn and sidewalks. The bench was made of mountain stone structure with wire-mess, with a wooden board surface, looks very harmony  with the surrounding nature. Pedestrians paths, cyclists lanes and their grooves dynamically styled, straight and oblique, mutual harmony with the arrangement of grass area and trees.

This unused railway area park is  6.3 kms long, divided into three parts with the vehicle in betweens. Vehicles passing there made move slowly so as not to endanger the pedestrian who cross the road in the park area. Pedestrians, cyclists passing or visiting this park looks relaxed, excited and happy. Flowing without hurry, and shared space. This impression revealed by the movement of pedestrians, cyclists, and even the cars around the park.

The City Linear Park is perfected by the flowing water like natural stream. The water looks clean and clear, I can see the gravel and pebble stones in the bottom and some little fishes. Water comes from underground railroad hole. It is warm even in the winter. There are some benches with simple design, but provide coziness and easy maintenance.

The park pavements are segmented with water lines for the absorption of rainwater. The lanes are in varied width, so it can be passed through by a couple hand in hand, parents with their children, a mother who is carrying her baby in a buggy, and wheelchair riders. The park also serves as a creative public space. Residents can skate, play music, chatting, or just sit around staring at the fountains, clouds, sky, and others.

One function of this park is as a part of water management system for the City of Seoul that is running LID (Low Impact Development) program in various areas of physical - environment development.

At certain places and times pitchmen and street vendors are allowed hung on the shoulder of the road near the park. Recreational and natural impression is also displayed by laying natural stones in the flow of water at the edge of the pedestrian lane. It becomes a simple game that gives pleasure, especially for children.

The whole elements which are forming the natural  impression and the quality of amenity of this park consists of vertical elements of the trees trunks, the elements of the spatial grass field, and continuity of the elements of the water flow as well as the pedestrians and cyclists lanes.

The transition of late autumn into winter season gave me the opportunity to enjoy the colorful foliage and leaves in this park: green, yellow, orange, red and brown… The reeds are let to grow in linear forested area on the side of the water flow and pedestrian lanes. Reed flowers gives the impression that so natural, soft, cool and fresh. So beautiful!

One of the efforts to bring security and maintaining the sustainability of this park at the same time is to provide buffer-masts on the trunks of trees, to make it more robust and resistant to wind gusts.

In downtown of Seoul City, zebra cross made as two lanes, equipped with alarms and traffic lights that the timing is quite fair. The elevation and texture surface of pedestrian lane pavement to the road crossing in calculated and designed well, both for normal pedestrian, as well as for persons with physical different ability (diffable persons).

💝 ASA 💝