Gov't unveils plan to transform Yeouido Park into cultural landmark
Seoul has picked a redesign for the iconic waterfront location that links the Han River and a new arts center, with phased construction set to run from 2027 to 2030.
A render of an open park area to be created at the center of Yeouido ParkSEOUL METROPOLITAN CITY
Yeouido Park is set for a makeover as Seoul plans to transform the area into a cultural district, with redevelopment expected to begin as early as next year.
Seoul selected the winning design proposal on Wednesday and will unveil the redevelopment master plan on Thursday.
The city will redevelop Yeouido Park in Yeongdeungpo District, western Seoul, into a cultural hub that connects with the nearby Han River and a second Sejong Center for the Performing Arts set to complete construction in December 2029. Yeouido Park opened in January 1999, and the city hopes the redesign will better integrate the three spaces.
The redevelopment will cover 195,539 square meters (48 acres), excluding the site reserved for the planned performing arts center.
When receiving design proposals, Seoul required participants to submit proposals that preserved as much of the park's existing ecological resources as possible. It also required participants to create a park that removes barriers between the city and nature and reflect future urban needs.
Ten teams submitted proposals, and the city shortlisted five for detailed design presentations. The winning team was selected after deliberations by a panel of experts in landscape architecture, architecture and urban planning.
The winning proposal aims to create a "three-layer" structure that preserves the park's vegetation, topography and waterways developed over the past 30 years. The site will be reorganized into two linear parks surrounding a large central open park.
The central park will host events and link the planned performing arts center to an ecological forest, flanked by two linear parks to the east and west. A landscaped hill and pond will bridge the elevation change between the park and the performing arts center.
A render of the landscaped hill and pond that will bridge the elevation difference between Yeouido Park and the planned second Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.SEOUL METROPOLITAN CITY
Public facilities, including restrooms, will each be designed as small garden-like spaces, with individual buildings in tree-inspired exterior colors.
The proposal also introduces a Yeouido Park conservancy model, under which companies and citizens will jointly maintain and sponsor the park.
Based on the winning plan, the city plans to begin detailing the design this month.
Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027 in conjunction with construction of the planned performing arts center, with work to be carried out in phases through 2030.
A render of a linear park that will be created at Yeouido ParkSEOUL METROPOLITAN CITY
The city also plans to hold an awards ceremony to mark the announcement of the park's redevelopment and exhibit the five shortlisted design proposals, including the winning design. The works will be exhibited in the City Hall's lobby for one week.
"We selected the proposal that best combines creativity and practicality so that Yeouido Park, a landmark of Yeouido, can be reborn as a global tourist destination," Kim Young-hwan, director general of Seoul's Garden-City Bureau, said.
"We will transparently disclose the entire process, from design through construction, while reflecting citizens' opinions."
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
