Since ancient times, civilisations and their major cities have been built around rivers which served as arteries that pumped life into agriculture, trade and commerce.
However, in the past few decades, rivers the world over have become dumping grounds for waste and been subjected to increasing levels of pollution and neglect to the point where they are seldom viewed as arterial to a city’s growth. How can rivers be cleaned up and reclaimed? What can city planners do to make them relevant to today’s rapidly expanding urbanscapes? These were some of the issues addressed by Professor Jung Sang Sung in his talk ‘Sustainable cities – Redeeming Lost Rivers – The Asian Experience’ at the InKo Centre recently.
A faculty member of the Department of Architecture, Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Seoul National University, Prof Sang drew additionally upon his valuable experience as one of the town planners of modern Seoul. Capital city since 1392, Seoul was known as Hanyang and Kyungsung. Sheltered by mountains that provided a natural defence, with the river Han running through, Seoul held the advantage of being ideally situated in accordance with the Feng Shui principles of air and water, common to many a strategically constructed polis of great kingdoms.
Professor Sang outlined the following planning strategies adopted in the layout of contemporary Seoul :
Innovation of the public transportation system, particularly the subway network and bus services.
Enhancement of living environment by improving the quality of air, water and implementing effective waste management systems. Creation of a cultural and historic corridor.
Implementation of mega projects through CG tools and the introduction of a Public Design system. Renovation of existing parks, green infrastructure and urban ecology involving Biotope mapping.
Creation of new parks such as Seonyu Island Park. Strengthening the walkability factor by creating dedicated pedestrian lanes, walking trails in city and through the mountains.
Encouraging citizen participation in public realms such as park management and urban farming.
These measures greatly facilitated the city’s transition from industrial hotspot to a culturally intelligent city, in which the younger generation is actively involved in environmental protection.
As for the Han, a dedicated Renaissance project involving a massive dredging and clean-up of the river, followed up by coloured lighting of bridges and other attractions has transformed the river into a vista that engages people in a vibrant interface.
In a discussion with Prof. Sang, noted Indian architect, Prof. Durganand Balsavar, development and conservation consultant, observed that technology was a means, not an end. Retaining the essential character of a city should be the focus rather than fast-forwarding urban growth to achieve high tech hubs.
Summing up, Prof. Sang urged rediscovery of the core. In dealing with resonating yet different concepts, there exist points of confluence. Describing his impressions of Mylapore, with its landmark temple locales, he expressed appreciation of the fact that it had retained its distinctive character that reflected a certain religiosity and faith. By holding fast to one’s traditions and culture, one passes on the legacy of a way of life to successive generations.
