Gunpo City discusses Sanboncheon Stream ecological restoration

A policy forum was held in Gunpo to discuss the ecological restoration of the Sanboncheon Stream, aimed at addressing climate change and enhancing urban safety. The event, co-hosted by the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly and Gyeonggi Province, focused on removing the concrete covers that have enclosed the stream since the development of the first-generation new cities approximately 30 years ago.

Experts, including Professor Lim Bong-gu from Seoul National University, noted that the current covered structure contributes to water quality degradation, sediment accumulation, and the urban heat island effect. Furthermore, the concrete culverts pose significant flood risks during extreme rainfall events.

While the restoration project was selected for a regional integrated river project by the Ministry of Environment in 2022, it was later excluded from national funding as support shifted toward flood control in national rivers. To move forward, the restoration plan must be integrated into the Gyeonggi Provincial River Basic Plan to secure necessary funding. Participants emphasized the need for a comprehensive policy that balances flood prevention with potential impacts on local traffic, parking, and commercial districts.