Changwon City Creates 'Cool Sidewalks for Climate Crisis Response'

More than 10℃ Cooler Than Regular Asphalt Pavement, Contributing to Mitigation of Urban Heat Island Effect

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] Changwon City, Gyeongnam announced on the 16th that it has completed the 'Climate Crisis Response Cool Sidewalk Construction Project (Cool Pavement)' to respond to the increase in heatwave days and abnormal weather caused by climate change.

Cool Pavement involves removing the existing old sidewalk blocks and installing heat-reflective sidewalk blocks, which can lower the surface temperature by more than 10℃ compared to regular asphalt sidewalks.

The construction sites are two locations: the outer sidewalk of Sangnam Fountain Square in Seongsan-gu and the school route of Hyeondong Elementary School in Masanhappo-gu.

After the construction, monitoring comparing the constructed and non-constructed areas at an air temperature of 25℃ confirmed a temperature difference of about 12℃.

It is expected that the temperature difference will be even greater when the summer air temperature rises above 30℃.

The city conducts cool roof construction and support projects, cooling fog system installations, and cool pavement construction annually as leading projects for climate change adaptation.

Lee Jeong-geun, Director of the Environment and Urban Bureau, said, "Since this summer is expected to be generally hotter than usual, we hope the cool sidewalks will provide some relief to the citizens."

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