The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) plans to designate four busy streets within the city as “pedestrian-friendly zones,” with the long-term goal of making them car-free.
Only public buses, taxis, and cars for people with disabilities will be allowed on these streets, officials said.
The four streets so designated are Yonsei Road near Yonsei University, Rodeo Street in Apgujeong-dong, Garosu-gil in Sinsa-dong and Hongdae Street near Hongik University.
The city government hopes the plan will ease traffic congestion and reduce traffic accidents. However, it may take time to implement because some shop owners in the affected areas are protesting.
“There was a lot of opposition from some shop owners because they worried that the measure could hinder their business,” a city official said.
In January, SMG designated Yonsei Road as a “public transportation-only” zone. During the period between January and May, car accidents declined 35 percent year on year, according to SMG.
There were also fewer car accidents. Accidents near the university went down 22 percent. There was also a 55 percent drop in accidents on the road connecting Sinchon Station to the university.
The number of public transportation users rose to 61,000 from 54,000 during the same period the previous year.
City officials said shops along the street had enjoyed an increase in revenue of about 4 percent since the measure was put in place. BC Card users purchased 29 percent more from shops in the designated areas.
The Busan Metropolitan Government (BMG) is seeking to implement similar measures to create a safer environment for pedestrians.
It plans to ban vehicles on two crowded streets by April next year. One is in Buk-gu and the other is in Suyeong-gu.