This study proposes an ecological park design strategy for the Janghang Wetland, located in the Han River estuary, with the aim of maintaining wetland conservation value while providing ecological experiences and public accessibility for urban users. ...
This study proposes an ecological park design strategy for the Janghang Wetland, located in the Han River estuary, with the aim of maintaining wetland conservation value while providing ecological experiences and public accessibility for urban users. As a large-scale estuarine wetland adjacent to the Seoul metropolitan area, Janghang Wetland possesses high ecological significance but has continuously faced pressures from urban expansion and increasing human use. In response, this study shifts away from conventional park designs that emphasize internal access and utilization, and instead focuses on a boundary-based design approach that minimizes disturbance to the wetland interior while reconfiguring the relationship between the city and the wetland.
To achieve this, existing survey and monitoring data on topography, vegetation distribution, and key wildlife habitats within Janghang Wetland were comprehensively reviewed and interpreted from a design perspective. Ecosystem monitoring reports for the Han River estuary, vegetation maps, and data on bird habitats and usage patterns were analyzed to identify ecologically sensitive areas and core conservation zones that require protection from human disturbance. Rather than promoting active use within the wetland, this process explored ways to deliver ecosystem services to urban users while preserving the wetland’s ecological structure and functions.
The results indicate that a stepwise access system focused on the urban–wetland boundary is more effective in securing both ecological stability and visitor experience than expanding direct access into the wetland interior. Accordingly, the proposed design utilizes existing peripheral paths, farm roads, bicycle routes, and urban infrastructure to create low-impact circulation routes centered on viewing and observation, while maintaining the wetland core as a protection-oriented area. Bird-watching facilities and observation decks are strategically located along the boundary, incorporating concealed structures and limited viewing frames that consider avian visual perception and behavior to reduce ecological disturbance.
Furthermore, the design follows the principles of Low Impact Design by avoiding new circulation networks and large-scale facilities, instead reinterpreting existing management and agricultural paths to minimize additional land disturbance. Through this approach, Janghang Wetland is redefined not as a space for intensive use, but as an ecological park where urban users perceive and understand wetland landscapes and ecological processes from the boundary.
This study demonstrates the potential and effectiveness of boundary-based ecological park design in urban-adjacent wetlands and presents a planning and design alternative that moves beyond the conventional dichotomy between conservation and use. The findings offer practical insights for future management strategies and ecological park planning in protected wetland areas near urban environments.