Seocho-gu Tackles Heatwave with Cooling Chairs and Umbrella Rentals

District prepares ‘life-oriented heatwave’ measures for residents exhausted by heat, expanding operations compared to last year

Additional Seoripul cooling chairs installed at bus stops for residents tired of the heat, Seoripul pavilions also expanded

‘2023 Seoripul parasol’ introduced this year with a more portable design... UV protection rate over 99%

‘Indoor senior heat relief shelters’ increased by 7 from last year to 102 locations, circulators placed in senior shelters

Jeon Seong-su, District Mayor: “We will do our best to ensure residents have a safe and healthy summer, free from heatwaves”

Seoripul Cooling Chair

This summer is forecasted to be an ‘unprecedented heatwave.’

Seocho-gu (District Mayor Jeon Seong-su) has launched life-oriented heatwave countermeasures.

They have prepared for a safe and healthy summer by providing cool chairs to wait comfortably at bus stops, renting parasols, and creating heat relief shelters.

First, the district has prepared various heatwave measures for residents waiting at bus stops under the scorching sun. The ‘Seoripul Cooling Chairs,’ which allow people to sit and wait comfortably cool, will be expanded to a total of 31 locations this year, an increase of 20 from last year. The ‘Seoripul Cooling Chair’ is equipped with a specially designed temperature sensor built into the bus stop chair that automatically cools the seat surface when the temperature exceeds 28°C, keeping it cool.

In addition to the ‘Seoripul Cooling Chairs,’ ‘covered cooling chairs’ with low thermal conductivity covers that reduce the temperature by about 5°C are operated at a total of 169 other bus stop chairs.

Also, the district will expand the operation of the shade pavilion ‘Seoripul Wondumak,’ which won two national first and top innovation awards hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety this year. Installed at crosswalks and traffic islands, the number will increase by 10 from the existing 222 locations to a total of 232.

The district also operates a rental service for the ‘2023 Seoripul parasol,’ which can be used as an umbrella during rain as well as for protection from the blazing sun. This year, the parasol has been redesigned to be more portable by reducing its size by more than half compared to the previous model. When using the Seoripul parasol, it blocks direct sunlight and UV rays by over 99%, and the surrounding temperature is lowered by about 7°C. It features a fresh design in light yellow and navy colors. Residents of Seocho-gu can rent the Seoripul parasol by visiting their local community service center with an ID card.

This year, the district will also operate 102 ‘indoor heat relief shelters for seniors,’ an increase of 7 from last year. The shelters with high usage will be equipped with the latest circulators to keep indoor temperatures cool. Operating hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, extended to 9 p.m. during heatwave warnings, and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.

Yangsan Rental

Additionally, the district focuses on managing heatwave-vulnerable groups to minimize heatwave damage. Measures include ▲providing safety texts, calls, and visits to elderly living alone with heatwave preparedness guidelines and health rules ▲a ‘smart safety confirmation system’ that monitors indoor temperature and movement using IoT devices ▲and implementing ‘health management visits for high-risk elderly living alone.’

Jeon Seong-su, Mayor of Seocho-gu, said, “We will do our best to ensure residents have a safe and healthy daily life free from summer heat.”

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