Seoul to transform with over 1,000 gardens by 2026

Seoul’s concrete jungle aims to transform into a stress-busting garden city over the next three years.

A flower garden in Magok-dong, Gangseo District, western Seoul, in a rendered image provided by the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Thursday. The city government said on the same day that the capital will host 1,007 gardens by 2026 to create more green spaces for the residents. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

Seoul’s concrete jungle aims to transform into a stress-busting garden city over the next three years.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Thursday announced its grand plan to develop and create gardens in 1,007 spots across the capital by 2026. The plan is in line with the "Garden City Seoul" initiative that Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon introduced in May last year that aims to maximize green spaces in the capital by bringing in more parks and public gardens.

According to Lee Su-yeon, the head of the city government's Parks and Recreation Bureau, the location of every new garden was recommended by each of the 25 capital district offices.

By 2026, the city will develop and build around 900 gardens close to residential and working areas that will feature about 400 plant species. The gardens will fill in the city’s unused lands like as roads and empty squares and turn roadsides into green spots for commuters to rest.

This year, themed gardens featuring the capital’s newly revamped mascot Hechi will be established in nine spots, including Ttukseom Han River Park and Children’s Grand Park in eastern Seoul.

Flowers are planted along a roadside in a rendered image provided by the Seoul city government on Thursday. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

The gardens will serve different purposes and be scattered across the capital.

There will be 65 flower gardens in green areas within different facilities and 30 rooftop gardens. Additionally, "signature" gardens will be formed in public parks, including Boramae Park in Dongjak District and World Cup Park in Mapo District.

Pet gardens will also be created in three areas, including Mok-dong, Nanji Han River Park and Sangam Noeul Park in western Seoul.

A garden formed along Dapsipri-ro in Gwangjin District, eastern Seoul, in a rendered image provided by the Seoul city government on Thursday. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

Some 100 gardens will be dedicated to the socially vulnerable, including the elderly, children and those with disabilities.

These gardens will be found in city-run care and medical facilities and support centers for the disabled. For children, the city said seven gardens will be created in the capital's parks close to forest experience centers for kids.

Through the project, the city further expects to create job opportunities by establishing gardening academies and hosting educational programs for future gardeners. Related volunteering activities, including gardening and docent programs, will also be offered in the future.

The metropolitan government stressed that creating a city garden would greatly improve the lives of Seoulites, amid "loneliness derived from low birthrates and [an] aging society."

According to academic studies cited by the city, individuals experience over 60 percent less stress if they spend time in a garden at least once a week.

The project comes as the city will host the Seoul International Garden Show 2024 in Ttukseom Han River Park for five months starting in May. After the event ends, the capital plans to promote and designate Ttukseom Han River Park as a national and regional park.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]