Yeongdeungpo-gu Installs 100 Heatshade Shelters for Proactive Heatwave Response

Operation of 100 Shade Shelters for Heatwave... Pre-Inspection Completed, Dedicated Managers Assigned for Systematic Management... Operation of 3 Cooling Fog Sites, Mist Spray Reduces Surrounding Temperature... 2 New Sites Installed... 5-6 Additional Shade Trees Planted

Cooling fog installed in Mullae Park in June last year

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Yeongdeungpo-gu (District Mayor Chae Hyun-il) is preparing for the upcoming summer by installing 100 heatwave shade shelters and expanding the operation of cooling fog systems to three locations.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the average annual number of heatwave days, which was 9.4 days in the 1980s, has surged to 15.5 days over the past decade, reaching 31.4 days in 2018, indicating a worsening abnormal climate phenomenon.

As this year is also expected to experience record-breaking heat, the district is making every effort to establish heatwave prevention measures to protect the health of its residents.

First, the district has completed the installation of 90 heatwave shade shelters at crosswalks and bus stops, and plans to add 10 more, expanding the total to 100 by May.

The ‘heatwave shade shelters’ are places designed to provide shade from sunlight while waiting for traffic signals or public transportation. The district completed all preliminary inspections in April for safety and plans to operate them continuously until the end of October.

The 10 newly installed heatwave shade shelters in May will be placed in locations with high foot traffic and a high risk of direct sunlight exposure.

The information signs attached to the shade shelters are made of reflective material to enhance nighttime visibility, and include management numbers, installation years, managing departments, and contact information for systematic management.

Additionally, dedicated managers for the heatwave shade shelters will be assigned by neighborhood to inspect the ▲condition of the shelters ▲any inconveniences to pedestrians ▲illegal occupation of the shelters at least twice a week.

Furthermore, the district operates ‘cooling fog’ systems that spray purified water mist to lower the surrounding temperature at three locations. Due to the high positive response to the cooling fog installed last year in Mullae Park, this year it will be expanded to Daerim Children's Park and Dangsan Park.

Moreover, eco-friendly wooden shade structures called ‘Geurulmok (木)’ will be additionally installed at 5 to 6 locations within the district, providing spaces where residents can rest.

Chae Hyun-il, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, stated, “Abnormal climate phenomena are intensifying every year, and damage caused by summer heatwaves is a growing concern. Yeongdeungpo-gu will do its utmost to prepare support measures so that residents can have a healthy summer.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.