Insistences of organizations involved regarding traffic problem
[Each organization's insistence regarding traffic problem that may be caused by the Cheonggyecheon restoration work]
Seoul Metropolitan Government
The traffic congestion caused by the Cheonggyecheon restoration work might get limited.
Academic circles
Academic circles, including the Korean Society of Transportation, were opposed to the commencement of the work on July 1st, 2003 as scheduled, pointing out some possible inconvenience to the public.
Central Government
Following the Seoul Metropolitan Government's announcement of traffic flow measures related to the restoration work, the central government expressed its opposition to the commencement of the work on July 1st, 2003 as scheduled, saying that there had not been enough preliminary discussions.
The National Police Agency expressed its disagreement with the City of Seoul's "unilateral" announcement of the plan for adopting the one-way system in the downtown area, the median bus-only lane system, and changes in traffic signal system. It added that traffic flow measures could only be achieved after sufficient preliminary discussions relying on its own analysis of traffic volume.
* Quoted from the February 13th, 2003 articles carried in the Hankook Ilbo.
Civic organizations
Civic organizations, including CCEJ (Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice), were opposed to the commencement of the work on July 1st, 2003 as scheduled, pointing out some possible inconvenience to the public.
[Traffic flow measures related to the restoration work]
Organization in charge
Measures taken
Transportation Bureau
Commissioning research on how to reorganize the urban traffic system on a service contract basis, and implementation of the project
Cheonggyecheon Restoration Research Corps
Commissioning research on traffic flow measures on a service contract basis
Cheonggyecheon Restoration Project Headquarters
Establishment of traffic flow measures in the downtown section affected by the restoration work and coordination of changes in the downtown traffic system
Matters regarding the owners of the stores located along the stream
[Special interests' opinions on the matters]
Seoul Metropolitan Government
Concerning owners of stores located along the stream
As the restoration work will not affect existing stores, there is no concern regarding any possible loss or interruption of their businesses under relevant laws and regulations
Concerning sidewalk vendors
It is illegal to get engaged in sidewalk peddling. Thus, they are no party that can ask for any compensation.
Cheonggyecheon Stores Business Right Protection Committee
The work causes intolerable noise and dust as well interrupting the activity of the stores located along the stream. Thus, the City of Seoul must determine a proper compensation.
Clothes Shops Committee
Federation of Street Vendors(Cheonggyecheon Street Vendors Right Protection Committee)
The work causes intolerable noises and dust as well interrupting the activity of the stores located along the stream. Thus, the City of Seoul must determine a proper compensation.
[Measures taken for storeowners along the Cheonggyecheon]
Measures to minimize inconvenience caused to storeowners
- Carrying out the work within the designated area - Maintaining the two-land street on both sides of the stream and minimizing the inconvenience due to the vehicles loading or offloading goods nearby - Using the Dongdaemun Stadium as a temporary parking lot. Free shuttle buses operational during the work period
Measures to revitalize the activity of the stores in the area
- Offering loans (up to 800 million won for each) for the renewal of the existing buildings and the improvement of the environmental background for the existing conventional markets - Offering loans (up to 10 billion won) for modernizing the markets - Offering loans to create some stabilization funds for SMEs - Purchasing goods needed by the City in the stores alongside first - e-Cheonggyecheon Project
Measures for storeowners wishing to move
- Selection of some sites in accordance with their wish and provision of an administrative and financial support - Moving forward with the formation of the 150,000-pyeong logistics complex in Munjeong-dong
Other
- Offering a financial support for the children of the storeowners alongside
Conflict management concerning sidewalk vendors
1. Setting up relevant measures
1) Adjustment of timing: In principle, sidewalk peddling is illegal and measures had to be taken to get rid of them. However, it was judged to be wise to take measures one by one. A decision was taken to handle the removal of the elevated highway and the situation regarding the traffic flow and storeowners located along the stream has reached a certain stage.
2) Duplication of the duty: It was decided that the matter regarding the removal of sidewalk vendors should be left to the Construction Planning Bureau, as leaving it to the CSRP might get interpreted as accepting sidewalk vendors as a legitimate party of negotiation.
2. Negotiation and actions taken Amid sidewalk vendors' fierce resistance to the decision on their removal, Seoul Mayor Lee Myung-bak suggested they should use the ground of the Dongdaemun Stadium for their business. Most of the sidewalk vendors accepted the unprecedented courageous and historical proposal.
