URBAN REJUVENATION AND REDEVELOPMENT by shreyash gupta

COMPARISON BETWEEN CHONGAE CANAL, KOREA AND CHANDNI CHOWK, INDIA BY: Avantika Chauhan Shreyash Gupta Apoorva Prakash

THE CHONGAE CANALSOUTH KOREA

OVERVIEW A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE ENTIRE PROJECT: • The Chongae canal, flowing through Seoul, played a key role in the city’s pre-industrial development. However, with the population swell, it soon became a dumping ground for industrial waste and raw sewage. • In an attempt to mask sanitation and flooding problems, the city entombed the canal under culverts and concrete pipes and further constructing an elevated highway on top of it. • But soon as the time passed this immediate solution posed many problems for the residents of the city which then immediately called for the need to start with a new development project which focused on the revival of the cheongecheon river.

HISTORY OF RIVER The history of the cheongycheon river traces back to the following: • Originally the Cheonggyecheon river was a place for daily chores and celebration of traditions. It served a place for social gathering that brought together the community As urbanization of the city and industrial developments progressed, the stream was full of trash and waste. • Due to overpopulation, the poor settled in the area resulting in the disease, pollution, and mistreatment of the Cheonggyecheon river. As a result, the river was covered with concrete in 1958 to prevent further degradation. In 1976, an elevated freeway was completed paving the way for automobile transportation. Citizens soon believed the highway symbolized the modernization of post-war Korea. 4

IMAGES SHOWING THE DAILY COURSE OF ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT NEAR THE RIVER EARLIER

ISSUES FACED IN THE REGION Ecosystem and livelihood

Traffic movement and congestion

Culture and heritage

•

Urban ecosystems suffered degradation due to industrialisation and urbanisation, which lessened the number of green spaces available for public recreation.

•

Heavy monsoons also resulted in water clogging and floods related issues in the area.

•

In 2003, the large amounts of cars passing through the area daily, caused serious traffic and poor air quality.

•

The pedestrian movement and safety was also not properly regulated in the area.

•

The developments taking place in the south side of Cheonggyecheon created an unequal balance of social and economic growth

•

The area was significantly loosing its cultural identity and heritage due to the lack of any cultural or heritage promoting token in the area.

INITIALIZATION OF THE PROJECT Central buisness district of Seoul is the country's heart and soul and longestserving business districts and also the major shopping areas of Seoul.

COMMERCIAL INSTITUTIONAL

RELIGIOUS

Cheonggyecheon is an 8.4 km (5.2 mi) stream flowing west to east through downtown Seoul, and then meeting Jungnangcheon, which connects to the Han River and empties into the Yellow Sea.

Seoul’s Metropolitan Government then decided to restore the river. The intention behind their actions was to recover the flow of the river, reintroduce biodiversity back to the area, and develop a space for interaction with nature. The Seoul Metropolitan Government decided to launch a campaign in 2003, in consonance with the new vision of sustainability of the city. The first step of the proposal by Mikyoung Kim was removing the four miles of elevated highway and creating a park, the ‘Sunken Stone Garden’, to reinvent this space as a vibrant cityscape and connecting the people to this historic waterway in the process.

MIKYOUNG KIM •

Mikyoung Kim, is a landscape architect, urban designer, and founding principal of Mikyoung Kim Design and Professor Emerita at the Rhode Island School of Design. Mikyoung Kim was born in Hartford, Connecticut to Korean parents.She graduated with a BS in Sculpture/Art History in 1989. She subsequently studied landscape architecture at Harvard Graduate School of Design, graduating in 1992. She is the recipient of the Smithsonian Museum Cooper Hewitt Design Award, the American Society of Landscape Architects Design Medal and her firm was named in 2019 by Fast Company as one of the world's most innovative businesses. Her work is featured in the Smithsonian Museum American Voices Collection. In 2019 she was appointed by Boston Mayor Marty Walsh as Commissioner of the Boston Civic Design Commission.

• •

•

• •

INTRODUCTION TO THE PROJECT • •

•

The initial highway earlier

The chongae canal 8

The ChonGae Canal Restoration Project is an ambitious redevelopment initiative that transformed the urban fabric of Seoul, Korea. Requirement was to highlight the future reunification of North and South Korea. The project symbolizes this political effort through the use of donated local stone from each of the eight provinces of North and South Korea. The ChonGae River Restoration Project is located at the important source point of this seven-mile green corridor that begins in the central business and commercial district of the city. The goal was to restore this highly polluted and covered water-way with the demolition of nearly four miles of at grade and elevated highway infrastructure that divided the city.

MAJOR HURDLE TO THE PROJECT • Gwangtonggyo (Gwangtong Bridge)

•

Designated as Historic Site No. 10,Gwangtonggyo was the largest of Cheonggyecheon's bridges during the Joseon Dynasty, but it was buried underground during the country's post-war economic development. Recently restored to its former glory, Gwangtonggyohasan old-fashioned charm which makes it one of the most photogenic places on the stream and very popular with tourists. Supyogyo (Supyo Bridge) • As one of the most famous bridges along the Cheonggyecheon along with Gwangtonggyo, Supyogyo was built in 1420 (the 2nd year of King Sejong). At that time, the bridge was called “Majeongyo,” as it was near a horse market (“majeon” in Korean). Itwasrenamed “Supyogyo” when a water marker was erected beside the bridge in 1441 (the 23rd year of King Sejong) to measure the water level of Cheonggyecheon. 9

•

Initially the project was resisted by the local shopkeepers and the community who wanted to preserve its historic properties. However, the city hall provided an alternative by opening up a flea market on the grounds of an old school for the displaced shopkeepers. The Seoul Folk Flea Market also known as the Pungmul Flea Market (Pungmul means “regional specialties” in Korean) now plays a large role in preserving the traditional Korean marketplace as the unique Korean charm of its folk items draw visitors from all around. The people victimized by the authoritarian creative urban development became active participants in extending the creative and cultural economy.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT

THE IMPORTANT ELEMENTS

Spring tower “Spring” is a sculpture by Swedish pop artist, Claes Oldenburg and serves as a striking backdrop for the wide variety of cultural events held at theplaza. Dongdaemun Design Plaza It comprise of a park, a fashion plaza, an underground mall, and display of a number of restored items of national heritage.Organizers aim to make Dongdaemun the fashion hub of South Korea and possibly the entire Asia-Pacific region.

Candle light fountain The Candlelight Fountain is a 4 m long, two-layered waterfall that flows into the stream, and marks the start of Cheonggyecheon’s flowing current towards the Hangang. Candlelight Fountain is particularly stunning at night with its multi-coloredilluminations.

THE IMPACTS OF THE PROJECT BIODIVERSITY In addition to the place making qualities of the space, the project also provides economic and environmental consequences. The project has allowed wind passage through the area thus decreasing air pollution by 36 percent; decreased heat island phenomenon of the area and increased local biodiversity.

Regional stone quarried from each of the eight areas, eight source points of water and fiber-optic light highlight this collaborative effort of reunification and restoration. CBD AREA OR THE COMMERCIAL AREA Today, the space encourages people to slow down and celebrate nature providing a setting for communities to come together. It also reinvents how people use this space. In a city in dire need of public space, the ‘Sunken Stone Garden’ provides a gathering place, for residents and visitors alike, to redefine the space in inventive ways especially during festivals and events.

ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR MARKET Further the presence of this major tourist attraction helps in the economic growth and buisness of Seoul folk flea market. The design was guided by the water levels from hour to hour and season to season, while addressing the catastrophic flooding that occurs during intense storms in the Monsoon season. The unique sloped and stepped stone elements allow for a reading of the various levels of water while encouraging direct public engagement with the river.

SEWAGE AN CLOGGING The ingenious design addresses the water quality by filtering storm water run-off through retention and purifying system before letting it enter the waterway. Sewage is directed to separate sewage purification and storage facility

CONCLUSION Cheonggyecheon is not only about restoring the stream, but also about restoring the history, culture, and ecology of Seoul.The restoration project has collectively contributed towards the overall development of the area in various different ways and the measures are listed below here

• Decreased air pollution • Redefined traffic movement and pedestrian flow • Generated economy for the seoul folk flea market • Solved issues related to water clogging and floods • People in the area have a new recreational and gathering space in the busy congested cbd of the city. • The coins collected from the river also helps in generating revenue.

CHANDNI CHOWKDELHI, INDIA

INTRODUCTION TO THE PROJECT Historically, every city started as a small agglomeration along or around a water body and over the years it grew in size and value, into a unique settlement, rich with stories and culture. The evolution of Delhi is similar. What is different however, is that based on evidence found, it is not one, but seven historic cities, that have merged to finally form the megalopolis that we now know as Delhi.

• “SHAHJAHANABAD” is one such city of Delhi which withstood the test of time and development. Till date, it holds a diverse population and a pulsating economy within its walls. The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan laid the foundation of this city in 1639, thereby founding the Seventh city of Delhi. • With the British Siege, “Shahjahanabad” became the “Old City” of Delhi and the focus shifted to newer settlements further southwest. A shift of land use from predominantly residential to trade and commerce can be observed, establishing Old Delhi as one of Asia’s largest wholesale markets.

HISTORY OF CHANDNI CHOWK • Chandni Chowk was the dominant axis of the Walled City, it ran through the middle of the walled city, from the Lahori Gate of the Red Fort to Fatehpuri Masjid.The original Chandni Chowk had octagonal chowks with a water channel running through the centre. Its wide boulevard with prestigious buildings and bazar created a vista between the magnificent Red Fort and Fatehpuri Mosque. • Chandni chowk thus has access to the most congested yet the most significant markets which includes: • Dariba kalan, ballimaran, kinari bazar or the gali bhojpura.

ISSUES FACED AT CHANDNI CHOWK

PARKING FATEHPURI MASJID Fatehpuri Masjid was built in 1650 by Fatehpuri Begum, one of emperor Shah Jahan’s wives who was from Fatehpur Sikri and the mosque at Taj Mahal is also named after her.

Irregular on-street parking of both commercial and private vehicles due to non-demarcated spaces lead to heavy encroachment of ROW in this area.

ROW ENCHROACHMENT

INFRASTRUCTURE DETERIORATION

Inadequate walking space & encroachment of row makes it unusable and congested for the pedestrians in the area.

The area is plagued with problems of infrastructure deterioration and unauthorized construction. Dilapidated housing conditions and conversion of residential premises to nonresidential uses is another issue posessed by the area.

RED FORT The Red Fort is a historic fort in the city of Delhi in India that served as the main residence of the Mughal Emperors. Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned construction of the Red Fort on an earlier 10th century fort by Anangpal Tomar on 12 May 1638, when he decided to shift his capital from Agra to Delhi.

MOVEMENT OF BUSES Buses ply on this road but lack of bus stops is a hindrance for connectivity, but the encroachment of ROW’s makes it dificult to provide space for them.

CUL-DE-SACS AND NARROW LANES Much of the dependence for connectivity between the built forms is through narrow bylanes which are insuficient in catering to larger footfall witnessed by the area due to its commercial nature. Vehicular movement gets restricted due to cul-de-sacs and narrow road widths of the bylanes

TRANSMISSION LINES

Dangerous exposed mess of electric wire that almost touched the heads of the pedestrians.

INTRODUCTION AND DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

PRADEEP SACHDEVA

• Pradeep Sachdeva has extensive expertise in designing public spaces, urban renewal of heritage precincts and hotels. • The practice is known for its contextual and sensitive development of projects.He studied architecture at IIT Roorkee. • Apart from leading the design practice he is actively engaged with the city on various policy matters. • Responsible for pioneering work in the planning of Public Spaces and the design of streets. This includes designing well integrated urban environments that apart from functioning as transportation corridors are also amenity-rich public spaces with facilities for improved walkability, street-vendors, nonmotorised vehicles and the disabled. • Some of the better known projects in the Public Realm include Dilli Haat, development of the Godavari riverfront as well as streets in the city of Nanded, Redevelopment plan for the Jama Masjid area in Delhi, The bamboo dome for the India pavilion at Shanghai Expo 2010 etc.

FEATURES OF THE PROJECT Designated hawker areas to accommodate the current activities and to prevent their encroachment on the pedestrian and vehicle areas •Appropriate locations and designs of bus stops •Para transport stands for auto rickshaws, cycle rickshaws etc. •Improved street lighting •Better public amenities toilets, dust bins, garbage collectors etc.

Segregation of NMV lanes from the MV traffic.

Wider footpaths to make the space comfortable for the very large numbers of pedestrians

Designated space for an avenue of trees

Improved junctions for safety and efficient traffic flow

The transmission line or electric lines have been taken underground.

SECTION OF THE ROAD

LOCATION OF STREET COMPONENTS ON THE MEDIAN

IMPACTS OF THE PROJECT • While pedestrians are seen happily strolling in the redesigned Chandni Chowk, shopkeepers share mixed reactions. • Primarily the shopkeepers and their customers are facing certain issues which have been caused by pedestrianizing the road. • Since the road has been entirely pedestrianized hence vehicles are allowed only between 9 am to 9pm and, Most shops in this market are wholesalers, who will have to unload, are compelled to use galiwalas (coolies) to bring supplies from one of the main roads. That is both inconvenient and costly. • Their customers who are retailers and buy in bulk too have to spend more to carry their purchase to their car or tempo • And it is not just the shopkeepers who have complaints. Another major issues which was also pointed out by the BJP leader Vijay Goel is that the redevelopment is only for the 1.3 kms of the road but Without developing the whole of the old city, there is no use developing just one road, Chandni Chowk. • A concern here is that pedestrianizing just one road puts a major traffic stress and burden in other streets, mohallas and gallis of the market. 27

CONCLUSION • The conclusion for the study is: • The major traffic congestion issues on the road has been resolved. • The row enchroachment has been addressed here in the area. • The pedestrian movement has been regulated. • The rickshaws have a proper parking place which does not ceate congestion. • Various ammenities have also been devised here such as street lighting and toilets etc. • The transmission and electric lines have been taken underground.

THANK YOU!!!