[Interview] Jung Won-oh, Seongdong District Mayor: "Seongdong-style Smart Shelter Will Become a Benchmark for Inclusive Cities"

Introducing Bus Stop Shelters Equipped with Smart Technology to Block Fine Dust, Cold Waves, Heatwaves, and Viruses... IoT Control and Monitoring System Enables Nationwide 24-Hour Remote Shelter Management... Praised by AFP, CNN, and Major Global Media and YouTube Channels

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] "Seongdong-type Smart Shelter will become the new standard for smart cities."

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, emphasized the necessity of the Seongdong-type Smart Shelter, which began operation on the 3rd of this month. Mayor Jung stated, "Seongdong-gu has been striving toward a smart inclusive city where no resident is left behind in enjoying the benefits of smart technology," and explained, "The Smart Shelter is the most advanced future-oriented shelter of a smart city, incorporating all the know-how accumulated so far."

Mayor Jung meticulously oversaw every process from design to on-site installation of the Smart Shelter. Similar to a windbreak tent (Ongginuriso), the shelter was created at bus stops to protect against heatwaves, cold waves, and fine dust, integrating 4th industrial revolution technologies to allow people to experience smart technology. This type of shelter is unique nationwide. Seongdong-gu analyzed big data to prioritize installation at 10 locations, including Seongdong-gu Office and Geumho Station, so that more people can enjoy its convenience. After a long rainy season, the shelter has effectively blocked heatwaves, earning high satisfaction from users. Mayor Jung emphasized, "While many previous structures were box-shaped, the Smart Shelter is designed with three glass sides, offering excellent openness as its strength."

The Smart Shelter provides bus and subway route information as well as bus arrival videos via CCTV. Even elderly people unfamiliar with digital devices can easily access information. To prevent COVID-19, a thermal imaging camera measures body temperature, and the door automatically opens only if the temperature is normal. Inside, a UV air sterilizer is installed, along with a sound detection system that senses abnormal noises, an emergency bell, and intelligent CCTV, sharing internal situations with Seongdong Police Station and Fire Station. Mayor Jung said, "All systems are remotely managed 24/7 by the district office’s Smart City Integrated Control Center," adding, "This kind of Internet of Things (IoT) control and monitoring system is a unique technology found only in Seongdong-gu."

Recently, major media outlets such as AFP, CNN, and Newsweek have focused on the innovation of the Smart Shelter. In particular, the Smart Shelter, which includes automatic doors linked to thermal imaging cameras and air sterilizers, has been cited as a key example of K-quarantine.

The district plans to gradually expand the Smart Shelter mainly in areas with high bus boarding numbers and establish it as a Seongdong-type transportation brand along with smart crosswalks. Mayor Jung stated, "We will continue to expand innovative projects incorporating smart technology so that residents can enjoy administrative services close to their daily lives."

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