More Seoul Streets Go Car-free

Like many large cities, Seoul suffers from too many cars and traffic jams.

So, the city is encouraging people to use fewer cars.

As part of its efforts, the city government has been holding "car-free street" events.

During a car-free street event, the roads in an area are shut down and all cars are prevented from entering it.

Instead, cultural and sports activities are held on the streets.

In Seoul, car-free streets have mostly taken place in downtown areas.

On weekends, for example, the streets near Gwanghwamun Square and Cheonggyeocheon Stream go car-free.

In September and October, the Seoul government expanded the campaign to Gangnam and Daehak-ro.

The wide roads were shut down and local festivals took place for citizens within the boundary.

In 2020, Itaewon, Namdaeumun Market, and other districts are expected to participate.

The purpose of car-free streets is to boost the local economy and provide a cultural experience to the residents.

Moreover, these events can reduce traffic and pollution to a neighborhood.

Car-free streets are already a popular campaign abroad.

The famous Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris has shut down on the first Sunday of each month since 2016.

 

• Go Car-free 자동차 없이 가다

• prevent  prɪˈvent   (~를/~가 ~하는 것을) 막다[예방/방지하다]

• boundary  ˈbaʊndri   경계[한계](선), 분계선

• boost  buːst   신장시키다, 북돋우다  / 격려, (신장시키는) 힘, 부양책