Titles
In the bustling city of Seoul, there’s a significant emphasis on ecologically-oriented landscape design to strike a balance between urban development and the tranquility of nature. As part of a series of strategic future plans aimed at elevating the city to the status of a green city, the Digital Media City (DMC) in Sangam-dong, a hub of technological innovation, stands out. DMC’s role as a pioneering center isn’t solely due to its technological advancements; it’s also because of the green cluster that it neighbours — Nanjido — which encompasses 5 distinct thematic parks, including Haneul Park.
Nanjido before it turned into a landfill – Source: daum.cafe.net
Nanjido, derived from “Nan” and “jichi,” meaning “extremely beautiful,” was once a picturesque island where peanuts and sorghum were cultivated. Despite frequent flood challenges, students used to visit the island for picnics. However, in the 1970s, rapid economic growth and unchecked population increase in Seoul led to a sudden rise in waste levels. Consequently, the search for a suitable location for waste disposal facilities began. After extensive searching, Nanjido and its surrounding area were deemed the most appropriate due to their accessibility and size for collecting Seoul’s garbage.
Nanjido as a dump site – Source: Seoul Metropolitan Government
In 1978, Nanjido was transformed into a landfill site, and it operated until 1992. During this time, over 90 million cubic meters of domestic waste, industrial waste, and more were buried in that massive waste dumping area.
The waste burial process began in 1978 and initially employed the horizontal burial method for the first six years, followed by the vertical burial method for the next six years. However, due to these unhygienic burial methods, it was observed that harmful substances from the waste leaked into the environment in the form of leachate and gases. Leachate led to soil and water pollution, while gases, sometimes flammable, posed a danger and raised environmental concerns. As the surrounding streams were tributaries of the Han River, contamination of these streams would also affect the Han River’s cleanliness. Additionally, unplanned and excessive waste burial resulted in safety issues like land subsidence and soil erosion.
Amid growing concerns, in 1992, the “Seoul, the 600-Year Capital City Project” was initiated, focusing on strategic development. This project encompassed areas like Sangam, Yeouido, Yongsan, Tukseom, and Magok. Within this project, Sangam, where Nanjido was situated, was designated as a key area for Seoul’s globalization and for facilitating the connection between North and South Korea.
Nanjido – Source: mur.com.co
At the end of 1992, Seoul’s waste began to be collected at the Sudokown landfill site, and by 1994, waste collection activities in Nanjido came to a complete halt.
Following the cessation of activities in Nanjido, the biggest debate was centered around how the area that had served as a landfill for years should be repurposed. Two main viewpoints emerged for the use of this space: “Early Development” and “Long-Term Development.”
The “Early Development” approach aimed to relocate buried waste to coastal waste storage areas or other locations and then redevelop the site for residential or commercial use. On the other hand, the “Long-Term Development after Stabilization” perspective advocated for establishing pollution prevention facilities for the existing methane gas and leachate, stabilizing the land, and ultimately developing it in the long term after creating environmental and ecological parks. After conducting various analyses, Seoul opted to implement the second view, focusing on long-term development. This decision proved to be a very apt one for revitalizing Nanjido.
Following this decision, the “Nanjido Ecological Park” project was developed to bring the area back to life. Additionally, the Sangam Millennium City Project and the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup Stadium Project, which was decided upon in 1992, also made positive contributions to the transformation of this area.
Aerial view of ‘Nanjido Ecological Park’ project – Source: Seoul Metropolitan Government
The planning concept of the Nanjido Ecological Park Project aimed to establish a ‘symbiotic relationship’ between nature and human culture, enabling them to coexist harmoniously. This project, spanning 8 works including land stabilization, the design of Haneul Park, Noeul Park, and Pyeonghwa Park, was executed in 3 phases.
The section drawing of Nanjido Ecological Park project – Sources: Seoul Metropolitan Government
1. Land Stabilization:
In 1998, a project was initiated to stabilize Nanjido, which was completed in 2002. Alongside this project, an ecological park was constructed. However, due to the ongoing biological degradation of waste materials, the stabilization process was expected to continue until 2020. During this period, efforts were made to minimize the risk of waste materials in Nanjido causing harm to the environment.
2. Ecological Park Design:
The Seoul government mobilized all its organizational capabilities to complete the Nanjido Ecological Park Development project as quickly as possible because it needed to be finished before the 2002 World Cup. To shorten the project timeline, the storage site stabilization, environmental greening, Heemang Forest, Pyeonghwa, Haneul, Noeul, Nanjicheon, and Najni Han River park projects were all simultaneously implemented.
3. Sustainable Waste Management:
Lastly, to ensure sustainable waste management on-site, the Mapo Resources Recovery Facility was constructed between Noeul Park and Haneul Park. As a result, the Nanjido Ecological Park gained the capability for comprehensive resource recycling, including newly built resource collection facilities, district heating, leachate treatment, and methane gas collection from waste.
The transformation of Nanjido after the implementation of the ecological park project – Source: mur.com.mo
In the present day, the group of five parks conceived as part of the Nanjido Ecological Park project offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of urban life. With expansive grasslands, vibrant flower gardens, and carefully designed pathways, these parks have captured the attention of both locals and visitors. Among them, Haneul Park shines as a standout feature.
Haneul Park
Haneul Park in Autumn – Source: Seoul Insiders’ Guide
Once a part of the landfill site, Haneul Park now tells the story of nature’s resilience and the city’s commitment to sustainability through its transformation.
Bird houses in Haneul Park
Occupying an area of 190,000 square meters, the park is situated in the least fertile section of the Nanjido Landfill, showcasing how nature can rejuvenate in such challenging terrain. The landscape design and project layout of the park, as set by the Millennium Park Master Plan Commission, were executed by Yooshin Corporation Co., Ltd. and Pyeonghwa Engineering Co., Ltd.
Pink colored ‘Muhlenbergia capillaris” plant – Source: habkorea.net
Designed based on the concept of expansive grasslands, the park features created slopes for drainage. In the southern-northern section, you can find silver-colored Chinese silvergrass (Miscanthus sinensis) and similar perennial plants cultivated, while the eastern-western part typically includes wild grasses and certain natural grasslands.
View of Seoul from the staircase with 291 steps
Located atop the former landfill site, Haneul Park offers access through extended pathways lined with metasequoia trees or a staircase consisting of 291 steps. As visitors ascend the staircase or stroll along the pathways, they are treated to panoramic vistas of the city of Seoul.
The staircase with 291 steps Source: SMG
The landscape designs featuring plants like Chinese silvergrass in the wide meadow areas actually reflect a design decision taken by landscape architects considering the limitations at hand. These areas, having been used as landfill sites in the past, were covered with topsoil to ensure ground stabilization, resulting in a layer only 60 cm deep that could support plant growth. This constraint hindered the planting of trees and construction. Taking these restrictions into account, the design and engineering teams opted to work with plants that best exemplify the aesthetics and ecological characteristics unique to meadow areas. This approach aimed to maximize the potential of the area.
View of Han River from one of the viewpoints in Haneul Park Source: jenwanderstories.com
Haneul Park offers its visitors the opportunity to experience breathtaking views of famous landmarks in Seoul, such as Namsan Tower, Bukhan Mountain, and the Han River, through its 22 distinct viewpoints scattered throughout the park.
Haneul Park covered with silver grass – Source: Seoul Insiders’ Guide
Hosting the Silver Grass Festival every year in October, Haneul Park’s success showcases how a major city can integrate nature into its urban fabric, promoting a symbiotic relationship that enriches both people’s lives and the environment.
Furthermore, within Seoul’s urban landscape, the harmony between the technological prowess of DMC and the tranquil allure of the green cluster, which includes Haneul Park, reflects the identity of a multifaceted city that embraces progress while valuing the balance between modernity and the natural world.
