In the 1950s and 60s, the city of Seoul built an elevated highway through the middle of the city.
We know in retrospect that highways don't belong in city centers, but at the time, Seoul was rapidly modernizing and cars were the future.
Plus, the Korean government was being advised, financed, and heavily influenced by Americans at the time, and you know they wouldn't suggest building anything other than car infrastructure.
Over the next few decades, Seoul experienced extremely rapid growth, but downtown was struggling.
There was serious traffic congestion on and around the highway, making the area polluted and unpleasant, and the population downtown dropped in half during the 1990s.
The number of businesses decreased by over 20%, and the number of people working downtown also dropped in half.
Because, as it turns out, the majority of people don't enjoy living, working, or shopping next to a car sewer.
The freeway itself was also crumbling and had become unsafe, so a decision had to be made.
Rebuild it or tear it down.
And they made the correct decision to tear it down.
