20 Cities That Prove Good Urban Design Matters

During the economic boom of the 1960s, Seoul paved over an ancient downtown stream with a heavy concrete highway. By 2003, city leaders realized the noisy road caused severe pollution and cut neighborhoods in half. They tore down the highway, uncovered the Cheonggyecheon Stream, and built a miles-long linear park along the fresh water. Residents cherish this urban oasis because it dropped local summer temperatures and provided a quiet escape.