Healing Urban Rivers

For all our complaints about wasted government money, I’d rather “waste” it on this:

(Thanks to rinux and flickr for this image, only one of rinux’ many glittering views of the Cheonggyecheon)

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa visited the Cheonggyecheon (pronounced Chong-ee-chon) Stream in Seoul, South Korea this week, as part of a 16-day trade mission through East Asia. If you’ve seen the LA River, and even if you haven’t, please visualize with me! Something like this, with uneven banks that churn and purify the water, with bridges and fords that attract play and reflection. Something that by its very vibrance becomes a source of actual* security.

Here’s the link to the LA Times article about Villaraigosa’s visit.

 
 
 
*… being one of those who thinks we Americans have become overly obsessed with safety.