Applying 'Design' and Installing 'Facilities'... Jongno-gu's Lifestyle Safety Design Project Draws Attention

Applying Designs Focused on 'Fire,' 'Crime,' 'Pedestrian,' and 'Environment' Considering Local Characteristics to Improve Regional Environment and Reduce Residents' Anxiety Based on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)

Wall Maintenance

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Jongno-gu (District Mayor Kim Young-jong) completed the ‘Community-tailored Safe Living Design Project’ in the Sungin 2-dong area, which has been promoted in cooperation with local residents since last year, on the 11th of this month.

Based on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), physical environment improvements were carried out to reduce residents’ anxiety about crime and create a neighborhood where anyone can live safely.

This project was implemented not only with voluntary participation from local residents throughout the entire process but also based on a solid cooperative system involving the district office, related organizations, and experts to ensure effective project progress and sustainability in facility maintenance and management.

First, the current local issues were thoroughly analyzed, and the anxiety factors of residents living in the area were identified one by one. As a low-rise residential area, the low walls adjacent to alleyways posed concerns about intrusion crimes, and illegal advertisements indiscriminately attached to utility poles and walls increased the likelihood of disorderly conduct and also impaired the alley’s aesthetics.

Accordingly, Jongno-gu applied designs focusing on four areas considering the characteristics of the Sungin 2-dong area: ▲fire safety ▲crime ▲pedestrian safety ▲environment.

To induce quick response in case of fire, the visibility of ‘emergency fire extinguishing devices’ was improved, and a total of nine floor-standing and wall-mounted fire extinguishers were installed near security lights to enable rapid response when accidents occur in narrow alleyways.

Additionally, barbed wire threatening pedestrian safety was removed, and rotating fences were installed on top of walls to prevent climbing over walls, also improving the aesthetics. To enhance the recognition of CCTV and emergency bells, illuminated CCTV signs were installed to guide quick use in emergencies, and convex mirrors were installed to alleviate residents’ psychological anxiety experienced while passing through narrow and winding alleys.

Furthermore, areas that were dirty due to illegal garbage dumping were cleaned up, and a shared cleaning tool named ‘Sungin 2-dong Cleanliness’ was installed to enable residents to clean the alleys themselves. Walls that had illegal advertisements were painted with special coatings to prevent further postings. The careful maintenance of old walls and neglected flower beds also stood out.

The district also did not forget to create nighttime lighting and gap flower beds in some narrow and secluded alleys with high foot traffic. This created a bright and clean neighborhood atmosphere, receiving the best responses from residents passing through the area.

From April to December last year, Jongno-gu promoted a safe village creation project in the Myeongnyun-dong area, including residential neighborhoods around Sungkyunkwan University and major school routes. As a result, various related facilities such as safe delivery boxes, convex mirrors in blind spots, emergency bells, and enhanced visibility signs for CCTV were installed.

Moreover, the district promoted a crime prevention environmental design project in the Donui-dong rooming house area, which had long been stigmatized as a high-crime area isolated from the local community. Recognizing its achievements, Jongno-gu was honored with the Presidential Award for the first time among autonomous districts at the 5th Korea Crime Prevention Awards hosted by the National Police Agency last year.

District Mayor Kim Young-jong emphasized, “We will continue to carry out community-tailored safe living projects based on the ‘Jongno-gu Crime Prevention Urban Environmental Design Basic Plan’ to promote practical crime prevention and further enhance residents’ sense of safety.” He added, “We will do our best to create a community where anyone can live safely.”

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