Incheon Station's Abandoned Rail Site in Front of the Station, Removing Barriers to Create a Walkway... Returning to the 'Embrace of Citizens'

The abandoned rail site near Incheon Station, which had been neglected like an 'island' in the city for decades due to old barbed wire, has transformed into an open walking space for citizens.

Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced on the 2nd that it has completed environmental improvement work and the construction of a temporary walkway around the abandoned rail site near Open Port Square in Jung-gu, and has fully opened it to the public. This project was initiated to improve the urban landscape by renovating aging facilities that hindered the city’s appearance and to enhance citizen convenience by connecting the fragmented walking paths.

The most noticeable change is the 'visual openness.' The city boldly removed the old security barbed wire and high fences that had blocked citizens' access and sight. Instead, it installed low, open fences that blend with the surrounding scenery, providing a sense of visual openness to the space that had been closed for decades.

The site maintenance was also carried out on a large scale. All waste and weeds that had been indiscriminately piled along the abandoned tracks were removed, and a 277m long temporary walkway was constructed to naturally connect the existing sidewalk and the abandoned rail site.

In particular, this project was significantly aided by close consultations with relevant agencies. Incheon City engaged in persistent discussions with the Incheon Port Authority, the landowner, and the Korea Railroad Corporation, the railway management body, ultimately obtaining consent for the construction of an access road (12m long, 10m wide) within the abandoned rail line. The city plans to commence the installation of the access road as soon as the administrative procedures, such as reporting activities within the railway protection zone, are completed.

Once the access road is completed, a direct line will be secured from the temporary walkway to Open Port Square. This will eliminate the inconveniences citizens experienced when moving from Incheon Station to Open Port Square and significantly improve accessibility.

Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok stated, "The small change of removing the barbed wire and improving the environment will provide citizens with a great sense of openness and joy in their daily lives," and added, "We will continue to reflect the voices of citizens and carry out citizen-centered urban regeneration projects that connect fragmented urban spaces and inject vitality into them."