In class we have learned about Braess’s Paradox and how the removal of a six-lane highway in Seoul, Korea actually improved the flow of the transportation.  The plan of removing the motorway was a part of the historic restoration project of Cheonggyecheon. Last winter break, I actually had the opportunity to visit the newly renovated Cheonggyecheon public park which is why I initially decided to delve into this topic.   Searching for information on the restoration project, I came across this article http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2006/nov/01/society.travelsenvironmentalimpact which discusses how the transportation plan was successfully implemented.  The author of this article explains how Braess’s Paradox can be applied to the restoration project and emphasizes how other metropolitan cities can improve the flow of traffic by removing various highways and paths.

 To an older generation of Koreans, Cheonggyecheon, means “Clear Valley Stream”, and it is a location that was known as a public rest place that has witnessed the many joys and sorrows of Seoulites for centuries.  This image and history has changed drastically since the end of the Korean War and many plans were executed to restore the Cheonggyecheon area.  In 1970, in attempts to find a means to compensate for this severe increase in traffic, the stream was covered by an elevated road which was composed of a six-lane motorway.  This road quickly came to symbolize industrialization and became an area that was infamous for the oversaturation of cars, flea markets, and homeless people.  Realizing the urgency of the situation due to the rapid degradation of the area, the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the citizens of Seoul, cooperated to execute the restoration project. Under the leadership of Lee Myung Bak, who was the mayor of Seoul at the time and is currently the President, a plan was instigated in order to remove the freeway, and to restore the stream. The amazing aspect of this project was how the issue of transportation improved despite the fact that a major freeway was removed. 

Professor Kee Yeon Hwang, the mastermind of the traffic plan, realized through his analysis of past cases that the removal of the freeway would increase the flow of transportation. He stood by his decision and just as Braess’s Paradox claims, the existence of the freeway actually resulted in longer traveling time for commuters.  Also the implementation of the Bus Rapid Transit system helped cut the automobile usage even more. The restoration project of Cheonggyecheon of Seoul, Korea may serve as a model to other metropolitan cities that have endlessly expanded in developing their cities without proper planning.  For many urban planers, it may seem practical to build more roads as possible for a health city growth; however, Braess’s Paradox indicates that this is not always the case.