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Ulsan to reclaim abandoned canal in bid to boost flow of tourism

Published: 24 Mar. 2026, 16:33 Updated: 24 Mar. 2026, 17:16

A plan for a waterfront development project in Ulsan [ULSAN CITY GOVERNMENT]

In 2003, then-Seoul Mayor Lee Myung-bak announced an ambitious plan to remove an elevated highway and reclaim a stream that once ran through the heart of downtown.

The Cheonggyecheon project initially sparked intense controversy and skepticism, yet has become an iconic landmark in the capital that draws millions of visitors every year.

Now, the southeastern industrial city of Ulsan is hoping to tap into that recipe for success with its own plans to revive a long-abandoned waterway near a historic Japanese fortress as part of a 672 billion won ($448 million) effort to boost tourism, reshape downtown and improve flood control.

The project will create a 1.1-kilometer-long (3,600-foot-long) canal around Hakseong Park in Jung District, with a width of 10 meters (33 feet) and a depth of 1.8 meters, city officials said Tuesday. Four docks will line the route, where visitors will be able to board small boats and travel along the waterway.

Hakseong Park sits on the site of Ulsan Japanese Fortress, a structure built by Japanese Gen. Kato Kiyomasa during the Imjin War (1592-1598).

Historical accounts suggest that seawater once reached the area, allowing boats to pass through what is now the park and connect to the Taehwa River. That waterway disappeared after the construction of an embankment along the river in 1928.

A landscaping layout for a new canal in Ulsan [ULSAN CITY GOVERNMENT]

The canal will link to the river, about 400 meters away, forming a connected route through the city. Officials plan to operate small recreational boats within the park and introduce water taxis along the river, an arrangement meant to mirror waterfront developments like the River Walk in San Antonio, Texas.

Ulsan also studied a similar project in Kurashiki, Japan, as it moved from concept to design.

The city recently completed a feasibility study and a basic plan, clearing the way for land compensation procedures to begin next year. Construction is expected to start after 2034.

A render of a proposed canal in Ulsan [ULSAN CITY GOVERNMENT]

Ulsan officials said they intend to turn the area into a key destination in the city. Plans call for a Japanese-style tourist street inspired by the area’s historical setting, as well as cherry blossom-lined paths, waterfront cafes and a central garden that will change with the seasons. The development aims to link the Taehwa River National Garden with surrounding neighborhoods and draw more foot traffic into the city center.

The canal will also function as part of the city’s flood control system. Engineers plan to connect it to existing drainage infrastructure and install pumping stations to allow forced drainage during periods of heavy rain. The system will draw about 37,000 tons of water a day from the river and circulate it to prevent stagnation.

The project carries a price tag of 672 billion won, with nearly 396 billion won set aside for land compensation. The city government will seek private investment and complete the project in phases, Ulsan officials said.

The site of the Ulsan Japanese Fortress [ULSAN CITY GOVERNMENT]

As was the case with Cheonggyecheon, however, the Ulsan plan has drawn criticism from some civic groups, this time over complaints that it effectively restores a moat around a fortress built during Japan’s invasions of Korea and lacks sufficient historical justification. Others have questioned whether the benefits will justify the scale of public spending.

“Rather than emphasizing public contributions from real estate development profits, the city must first secure historical validity and public consensus before pushing ahead with the project," the civic group Ulsan People's Solidarity said.

“This is not simply about creating a scenic waterway for boating,” said Ulsan Mayor Kim Doo-gyum. “It is a project that combines urban regeneration, tourism and disaster prevention. We will push forward so that it contributes to nearby commercial districts and the local economy.”

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.
BY KIM YOUN-HO, KIM JU-YEON [[email protected]]