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01-19-2009 18:40

Seoul to Redraw Riverside Skyline
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/01/117_38111.html

By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter

The banks along the Han River, the icon of Seoul, will soon offer a differing view from the currently monotonous, gray apartment buildings following the construction skyscrapers.

In a ``declaration for the promotion of the public use of the Han River,'' Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said, ``This project will return the riverside of the Han River which was blocked by rows of matchbox-like apartment buildings to citizens. We will create an attractive riverside view,'' Oh said.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Monday, the project will refurbish and develop the Han River area and beautify the skyline of the city by allowing builders to construct residential skyscrapers along the river.

Apartment buildings can be more than 50 stories high in areas including Yeouido, Apgujeong, Jamsil and Seongsu. The city will also build more public facilities such as parks and cultural places along the riverbanks in these areas.

Already an apartment complex in Yongsan District was given approval last month on the condition that part of the plot will be developed for public use, and will see the construction of a 56-story building.

Currently, 85 percent of the riverside area of the Han River is residential, mostly apartment complexes. Twenty percent of the area has seen reconstruction completed already, while the remainder will have more than 100,000 housing units built.

``Taking the fact that the width of Han River reaches around one kilometer into consideration, buildings with different heights will create a better riverfront view,'' a city official said.

While the ``Han River Renaissance Project'' focuses on the reform of space around its banks and more active use of the waterfront, this latest project for the promotion of the public use aims to revamp and reorganize the area.

The city expects the project to create about 200,000 new jobs and contribute to the GNP of the capital.

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