Naju-si Promotes 'Lowering Earthen Platforms Project' for Safe Residential Living

Published 14 Nov.2022 15:54(KST)

[Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Naju City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Yoon Byung-tae) announced on the 14th that it will actively promote the ‘Lowering of Tobang Project’ to ensure safe residential living for elderly and disabled households with mobility difficulties.

‘Tobang’ (土房) is a traditional architectural style mainly used in old-style houses, consisting of steps made by piling soil and stones slightly higher than the yard between the house’s wooden floor and the yard, designed to prevent moisture from rising into the earthen house.

In rural villages, many old-style houses have Tobang, making it inconvenient for elderly people suffering from arthritis or with weak legs to climb up and down the high Tobang, and there has been a risk of falling accidents.

The city plans to support the installation of stairs, gentle ramps (footboards), and safety handrails according to the characteristics of Tobang, focusing on resolving mobility difficulties for elderly and disabled people climbing the high Tobang and preventing residential safety accidents such as falls.

Previously, in Sanpo-myeon, the Lowering of Tobang Project was linked with the Welfare Mobile Unit project, aiming to complete 12 households this year. So far, stairs and ramps have been installed in 9 households’ Tobang, receiving great responses from residents.

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae, after receiving a report on the progress of the Lowering of Tobang Project from the Sanpo-myeon chief at a recent urgent business meeting, ordered the expansion of this project to all eup, myeon, and dong (towns and neighborhoods).

Accordingly, the city is conducting surveys and identifying target households for fall prevention support projects such as lowering Tobang and installing safety bars through public-private cooperation involving the Customized Welfare Team, Welfare Mobile Unit, and the Community Security Council.

The targets are low-income households (under 65 years old) receiving basic pension elderly benefits, disabled persons, or those with diseases who have mobility difficulties and are exposed to fall accident risks.

If selected as a supported household, stairs, ramps, and safety handrails will be installed according to the housing conditions to make it easier for the elderly to climb up and down the Tobang.

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae said, “Old-style houses with high wooden floors are inconvenient for elderly people with mobility difficulties to use, and above all, the risk of falling accidents is high. Through this Lowering of Tobang Project, by installing customized ramps, safety footboards, and handrails, we hope it will greatly help elderly people live safely and conveniently in their daily lives.”