Gwanak-gu Implements Support Policies for a Refreshing Summer

Gwanak-gu Implements Multifaceted Support Policies for a Cool and Safe Summer

Cooling Residents with Various Projects Including Green Curtains, Cool Roofs, Energy Vouchers, Heatwave Shelters, and Water Playgrounds

Byeolbitnaeruncheon Water Playground

Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Junhee) is introducing various support policies to help residents cope with the ongoing high temperatures and heat stress.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the number of heat-related illness cases nationwide increased from 1,078 in 2020 to 1,564 in 2022 over the past three years. In response, the district is actively providing support this year to ensure residents have a safe summer.

First, by June, the district invested a total budget of 101 million KRW to install ‘Green Curtains’ and ‘Cool Roofs’ at nine facilities used by vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly, creating a comfortable and cool indoor environment.

The ‘Green Curtain’ consists of climbing plants growing along the exterior walls of buildings in a curtain-like form, which lowers indoor temperatures by nearly 5℃ during summer. The ‘Cool Roof’ involves painting rooftops with special reflective paint that reduces indoor temperatures and is expected to cut cooling energy consumption by about 20% in summer.

The district also operates the ‘Energy Voucher’ program to support heating and cooling costs for energy-vulnerable households. Energy vouchers can be used to purchase electricity, city gas, kerosene, LPG, briquettes, or to offset utility bills.

The support amount varies by household size, covering both summer and winter seasons: ▲14,9800 KRW for single-person households ▲205,700 KRW for two-person households ▲292,500 KRW for three-person households ▲379,600 KRW for households of four or more.

The summer voucher is applied as a discount on electricity bills from July 1 to September 30, and eligible households can advance up to 45,000 KRW of the winter voucher. Detailed information on eligibility and application methods can be found at local community service centers or the online Bokjiro website.

Additionally, the district has established 140 ‘Senior Heatwave Shelters’ (▲110 senior centers ▲21 community centers ▲7 welfare centers ▲2 safe accommodations) operating as ‘General Shelters’ (weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and ‘Extended Shelters’ (weekdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., weekends and holidays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.) during heatwave warnings.

In particular, for residents living in poor housing conditions such as small rooms without air conditioning, rooftop rooms, or goshiwon (small dormitory-style rooms), two local hotels have been designated as safe accommodations and operate as ‘Night Shelters’ from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. on weekdays and from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekends.

‘General Shelters’ and ‘Extended Shelters’ are open to all seniors, while ‘Night Shelters’ require prior application through the resident’s local community center.

Beyond administrative and financial support for heatwave preparedness, the district is also promoting cultural and leisure activities. Water playgrounds will be open from July through August to help residents cool off with refreshing water streams.

Currently, two water playgrounds are in operation: ▲Byeolbitnaeruncheon Water Playground (open until August 31, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and ▲Gwanaksan Sillim Valley Water Playground (open until August 27, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.). More details are available on the Gwanak-gu Office website.

Moreover, the district runs a ‘Disaster Helper’ program with about 1,000 volunteers who check on vulnerable residents during heatwave alerts. It also operates the ‘Smart Plug Check-in Service’ using IoT to monitor electricity usage and the AI phone call ‘Smart Check-in Service’ to ensure residents’ safety, making every effort to help residents have a safe summer.

Park Junhee, Mayor of Gwanak-gu, stated, “We will carefully ensure that no resident is left out and that everyone can spend a cool and safe summer, sparing no support.”

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