From Highway to Waterway: Seoul's Pioneering Urban Transformation:

Once home to an elevated highway channeling a massive 168,000 cars daily, Seoul's Cheonggyecheon stream site now offers a tranquil refuge for locals and tourists alike. Just over two decades ago, an innovative turnaround saw the bustling highway transformed into a peaceful waterway, an early experiment which became a precedent for cities globally seeking to replace car or rail infrastructure with pedestrian-friendly spaces. This green destination, besides offering a peaceful refuge, serves as a cultural corridor, playing host to festivals and performances all year round.

Revitalization Against the Odds:

Contrary to initial apprehension toward the project, the urban oasis has now gained the favor of its frequenters. The stream's historical trajectory mirrors Seoul's. Once vital for managing floods and supporting everyday life during the Joseon dynasty, it later became a public health threat and was, in turn, hidden underneath an elevated highway in the 1960s. As the city's focus shifted towards sustainable development and a better quality of life in the late 1990s, Cheonggyecheon became a huge visual and symbolic victory in Seoul's urban transformation story.

Echoes of Green Success Beyond Borders:

The Cheonggyecheon restoration now stands as a paradigm shift from vehicle-centric transportation to human-centric planning policies. Apart from the aesthetic benefits, it has also improved the city's preparedness for natural challenges, capable of withstanding 200-year flood events, and has significantly reduced air pollution. Its success has sparked wider renewals, and the Cheonggyecheon phenomenon has been exported to countries like Kenya and Japan for sustainable urban interventions. All in all, the urban waterfall offers an exemplar for citywide transformations in managing ancient highway infrastructure and mitigating climate change effects.

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