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Heoya River Renaissance transforms Yangsan’s Ungsang area into waterfront city
Haps Magazine Korea
December 16, 2025
(Photo by Yangsan City/ Photo courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea)
Yangsan’s Ungsang area is rapidly transforming into a vibrant waterfront city where ecology, culture, and tourism come together along the Heoya River, with residents increasingly feeling the impact of large-scale improvement projects.
Since announcing the “Heoya River Renaissance Vision” in March 2023, Yangsan City has moved forward with a wide range of initiatives, including flood prevention, riverside walkway upgrades, and the creation of eco-cultural parks.
The project redefines the Heoya River not as a simple flood-control channel, but as a people-centered waterfront space and a new urban landmark.
The Heoya River Renaissance is being carried out in stages around four key themes: a healthy river that attracts people, an eco-friendly river that restores nature, a safe river that enhances the cityscape, and a high-quality river that showcases history and culture. Early projects, such as the 3.2-kilometer riverside walkway between Baekdonggyo and Dangchongyo bridges and the Samho-dong Duck Park remodeling, were completed in 2024.
In 2025, additional improvements, including odor-control facilities, mobile eco-friendly restrooms, and nighttime lighting and cultural spaces under 10 bridges, have significantly increased resident satisfaction and river use.
At the center of the transformation is the Jujin Light Park project, a flagship development now moving into full implementation.
With land compensation already underway and a total budget of KRW 34 billion, construction is set to begin early next year, with completion targeted for December 2027.
The park will feature an artificial waterfall, pedestrian bridge, children’s adventure playground, illuminated plaza, performance spaces, and advanced media art installations, positioning it as both a daily leisure space and a major festival venue.
Additional projects, including road expansion, parking solutions, and flood-prevention works upstream, are progressing in parallel, reinforcing the Heoya River’s role as a defining public space and a new engine of vitality for the Ungsang area.