Suwon Stream Restoration Completed... Now Enters 'Suwon Stream Era'
Mayor Yeom Tae-young said on the 18th regarding the original restoration of the covered section of Suwon Stream, "This is a meaningful work that symbolically demonstrates a shift in civic consciousness that urban waterways should be developed as natural ecological streams."
Mayor Yeom stated, "I feel a special emotion reporting to citizens that the Suwon Stream restoration I advocated during my civic organization days has been completed now that I am mayor."
Mayor Yeom recalled, "Until the early 1990s, the absolute demand of citizens was to cover the waterway for traffic and parking," and added, "After that, citizen activism changed the paradigm for urban waterways, leading to the halt of the second-phase covering project and, 18 years later, the restoration of the covered section."
Mayor Yeom continued, "The Suwon Stream restoration, achieved through citizens' efforts, is different in meaning from Seoul's Cheonggyecheon, which was implemented by one person and completed 10 years later," and emphasized, "If Cheonggyecheon is an artificial aquarium decorated with marble, Suwon Stream is a natural ecological waterway preserving cultural heritage such as Hwahongmun and Namsumun gates."
Mayor Yeom, who established the Suwon Environmental Movement Center in 1994, formed the 'Suwon Stream Revival Civic Movement Headquarters' by rallying 15 civic organizations at the time when the first-phase section from Jidong Bridge to Maegyo Bridge (780m) was covered, and led civic campaigns opposing the covering of Suwon Stream, such as halting the second-phase project.
Mayor Yeom also stated, "The restoration effects of Suwon Stream will contribute to revitalizing traditional markets such as Jidong Market, Motgol Market, Yeongdong Market, and Paldalmun Market, as well as the old downtown area," and added, "In particular, when the Paldal-gu Office building is newly constructed near the Hwaseong Museum adjacent to Suwon Stream by the end of 2013, visible changes will be realized through increased foot traffic and population inflow."
The city analyzed that when converting the restoration effects of Suwon Stream into monetary terms, it amounts to approximately 9.18 billion won annually in terms of environmental improvement and socio-cultural benefits.
With the restoration of Suwon Stream, the city expects changes in the urban atmosphere, including urban heat island cooling effects that lower surrounding temperatures by approximately 1 to 2 degrees, as well as the formation of wind corridors that are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (CO2) by 3,198kg annually.
Additionally, the city anticipates a species diversity effect through the inflow of plants and aquatic organisms from upstream areas due to water quality improvement.
Suwon City subsequently decided in 2005 to demolish the structures of the covered section from Jidong Bridge to Maegyo Bridge (780m in length and 30m in width), began restoration work in 2009, and reached completion on the 21st after two years and seven months.
The city will hold the Suwon Stream Festival over two days on the 21st and 22nd to commemorate the completion of the restoration project.
The festival will feature photo and painting exhibitions showcasing the history of Suwon Stream along the waterway, as well as experiential programs such as Korean paper crafts and food offerings from nearby traditional markets including Jidong Market and Motgol Market.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy the Gwonseon-gu Tulip Festival, where the waterfront along a 2km section of Suwon Stream in Seryou-dong is decorated with 160,000 tulips.