Gwanak-gu Implements Customized Summer Heatwave Measures in Response to COVID-19

Operating heat relief shelters in district community centers, sports centers, parks with social distancing and quarantine rules... Promoting district-specific projects such as Gang Gamchan smart shade shelters and smart cooling/heating fans... Thorough protection of vulnerable groups through IoT-based non-face-to-face check-ins and rapid support of cooling supplies

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) is launching an emergency response system by establishing a customized summer heatwave countermeasure tailored to COVID-19 during this summer, when the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and heatwaves overlap.

The district has designated the period from May 20 to September 30 as the comprehensive heatwave countermeasure implementation period and is operating a heatwave countermeasure situation room composed of 4 teams and 15 departments to thoroughly prevent heatwave damage.

This summer, Gwanak-gu will designate and operate indoor spaces where social distancing is possible, such as sports centers and community centers, as well as outdoor parks as cooling shelters to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Starting from the 24th, the district will operate the Gwanak-gu Residents’ Sports Center, Sillim Sports Center, and the auditorium of the community center as daytime cooling shelters, appoint management supervisors, maintain air conditioners (including filters), enforce mandatory mask-wearing for users, and strictly comply with quarantine rules such as maintaining a 2-meter distance between individuals.

Additionally, 29 parks in the area will be operated as outdoor nighttime cooling shelters. Senior centers and community centers, which are currently closed to prevent COVID-19 spread, will be gradually reopened and used as cooling shelters when the infectious disease crisis level is lowered.

A new project by Gwanak-gu that provides comfortable shelters for residents waiting at traffic lights and bus stops to briefly escape the heat also stands out.

Launched in May, the ‘Gang Gam-chan Smart Shade’ is an intelligent shade that automatically opens and closes in response to surrounding environmental factors such as temperature, wind, and sunlight, based on Internet of Things (IoT) and solar power technology.

The district has invested about 100 million KRW to install ‘Gang Gam-chan Smart Shades’ at high foot traffic locations: in front of Gwanak-gu Office (3 locations), Seoul National University Station (4 locations), Sillim Station (2 locations), and Sadang Station (1 location), operating them until October.

Moreover, for the first time nationwide, Gwanak-gu will install and operate smart heating and cooling devices at bus stop boarding areas with automatic temperature control. When a person is detected, the smart device automatically activates the cooling function if the summer temperature exceeds 28˚C, and the heating function if the winter temperature falls below 5˚C.

The district plans to select five locations with high foot traffic and bus routes in July to pilot the smart heating and cooling devices, expanding to 10 locations by the end of October this year.

Furthermore, 31 foldable shades will be operated mainly at pedestrian crossings, bus stops, and traffic islands with heavy resident traffic, and the district plans to gradually replace these foldable shades with smart shades as budget is secured.

In addition, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of vulnerable groups, the district will strengthen non-face-to-face welfare check activities using information and communication technology.

For single middle-aged households at high risk of solitary death, the district is promoting the ‘Smart Plug Welfare Check Service’ that uses IoT sensors to monitor safety. During the comprehensive heatwave countermeasure period, about 600 local care volunteers and disaster helpers will frequently check on low-income households and elderly living alone by phone, carefully ensuring residents’ safety.

Also, the district plans to assess the living conditions of those in self-quarantine and provide cooling supplies such as fans and cool mats. For vulnerable self-quarantined residents living in unauthorized housing, rooftop rooms without air conditioning, or shared spaces with two or more people, the district will assist their admission to Seoul city quarantine facilities to strengthen protection and management.

Additionally, the district will distribute 1,050 units each of cooling supplies including fans, cool towels, cool arm sleeves, and cool mats to heatwave-vulnerable groups, and implement multifaceted safety measures for residents such as protection plans for homeless people, heatwave management at daycare centers, and safety management for construction workers.

Mayor Park Jun-hee said, “This year, an unprecedented combination of heatwaves and COVID-19 is expected to make the summer more difficult than ever. We will thoroughly respond to COVID-19 while flawlessly implementing heatwave countermeasures to protect the safety of all residents, including vulnerable groups, and minimize inconvenience.”

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