Citizens can experience the emotional stability, comfort, and well-being generated by water and the natural environment near the river and riverbank (riverfront) in the city. The riverfront of the city is attracting public attention as a new alternative for the development and revitalization of the city as it is reevaluated in terms of improving urban landscapes, providing leisure space, and decreasing urban heat island effects. Recently, Seoul has established a plan and strategy for the riverfront of the urban stream as a key element of urban space and is accelerating several projects to revitalize the riverfront space as a space for citizen life. However, there is a lack of characteristics analysis and strategy for the space demand of the riverfront as an integrated space of the
river and the riverside due to the separate management system and riverfront planning between the rivers and the riverside.
In this study, we analyzed the current status and characteristics of river and riverside of four major tributaries in Seoul and proposed a strategy to activate the use of their riverfront. The four major tributaries in Seoul are Jungnangcheon, Tancheon, Anyangcheon, and Hongjecheon, which flow through the northeastern, southeast, southwestern, and northwestern parts of the city, respectively. As a result of analyzing the current status and use characteristics of the riverfront, the size of Seoul was small, but the characteristics and interests of each riverfront were diverse. In addition, there were various factors that hindered use and accessibility, while each riverfront had great potential for activation.
Anyangcheon has good conditions for riverfront activation, which has a large and well-maintained river space, a large transient population, and large green spaces and public facilities. But, since there is no proper feature that can reveal the charm of the riverfront, it is necessary to develop a strategy to activate the branding and the hubs that connect the local resources.
Jungnangcheon is not enough for the river space due to the main road located on it, and the use of riverfront has been reduced due to the large-scale urban infrastructures around the rivers. As a result, a strategy was developed for Jungnangcheon in order to protect open space in the river space using the multi-layered design of the main road and the substantial infrastructure, and to activate the use of the riverside in connection with the nearby campus town.
Tancheon is restricted in terms of use and access due to its designation as an ecological landscape preservation area. However, since Tancheon has great potential as an ecological hub, it was important that a strategy be developed to activate the riverfront as an ecological base in the city where the landscape of the city and the ecological environment are harmonized.
Hongjecheon has good accessibility with a large transient population.
Riverfront is also highly connected to the surrounding commercial districts and is rich in cultural and art resources. Therefore, Hongjecheon was analyzed to determine that it is necessary to need a strategy to create a space on the riverfront where various attractions and entertainment can coexist.