Seongdong-gu Accelerates Creation of Age-Friendly City... 86 Projects with 193 Billion Won Investment

WHO Age-friendly City International Network Re-certified (2024-2028)
Aiming to Create a Smart, Inclusive City Where Everyone Enjoys Happiness at 100
Expanding Senior Employment, Enhancing Senior Center Operations, and Increasing Smart Healthcare Centers
Promoting 86 Projects Across 8 Key Areas to Build a Strong, Inclusive Seongdong

Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jung Won-oh) announced that, as a city re-certified by the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities, it will invest 193 billion KRW in 86 projects this year to create a ‘Seongdong-style Age-friendly City’.

As of the end of December 2023, South Korea’s population aged 70 and over surpassed those in their 20s. Seongdong-gu’s elderly population has steadily increased each year, reaching approximately 51,000 by the end of this year, accounting for 18.8% of the total population, approaching a super-aged society.

As a proactive effort to prepare for a super-aged society, the district joined the WHO Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities in 2020 and implemented the first phase of the Age-friendly City creation and execution plan from 2021 to 2023. Subsequently, in September 2023, it obtained re-certification from the Age-friendly City international network and is currently implementing the second phase of the Age-friendly City creation and execution plan from 2024 to 2028.

This year, with the goal of ‘Creating a Smart Inclusive City for Happiness at 100 for All,’ the focus is on realizing the sustainable residence of seniors in a healthy and safe community (AIP), fostering a social atmosphere of respect for seniors and generational integration, and supporting second-life planning for retirement preparation.

Specifically, a total of 86 projects will be promoted across eight major areas: ▲external environment and facilities ▲convenience of transportation environment ▲communication and information ▲employment and social participation ▲leisure and social activities ▲external environment and facilities ▲housing environment stability ▲respect and social integration, with a total budget of 193 billion KRW.

Last year, key initiatives included the opening of the Sageun Smart Healthcare Center, a fall prevention and safety care project for Seongdong-style community sustainable residence (AIP), and the introduction of the Seongdong Bus (Seongdong-style public facility shuttle bus).

First, the district plans to focus on expanding senior job projects to support the social participation and economic independence of the elderly. Through this, about 2,250 seniors across 42 project groups will enjoy a vibrant life in old age and actively communicate and interact with the local community.

They will also produce and distribute the ‘Seongdong Senior Comprehensive Guide’ to improve access to welfare information and services, while enhancing the quality of life for seniors by improving aging welfare facility environments, providing additional operating expenses to improve lunch support at senior centers, and strengthening the operation of senior centers.

Additionally, the Smart Healthcare Centers will continue to expand, with a new center planned to open in Wangsimni 2-dong in the second half of this year, following those in Sageun-dong and Songjeong-dong.

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “We are committed to creating a ‘Seongdong-style Age-friendly City’ so that all residents, including seniors who need care in a super-aged society, can enjoy a healthy and happy life in the community.” He added, “We will continue to proactively implement customized policies that carefully embrace residents’ daily lives to complete a strong and inclusive city, Seongdong.”

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