Aging Bathhouse Chimneys Threatening Safety Fade Into History... Ulsan City Presents a Successful Urban Solution Model
Published 01 Nov.2025 09:00(KST)
Bathhouse Chimney Renovation Project Completed This Year
Significantly Easing Public Anxiety and Improving Urban Landscape
The city of Ulsan is accelerating the renovation of aging chimneys that have threatened citizen safety and the urban landscape.
This year, the city invested 986 million won to demolish 15 old chimneys at bathhouses, and announced plans to increase the number of renovations next year.
In the 1970s, bathhouses that used wood or Bunker-C oil as fuel were required to install chimneys over 20 meters high to discharge smoke. However, since the 1990s, the widespread adoption of gas and electric boilers has rendered these chimneys virtually useless. Due to the high dismantling costs, which can reach tens of millions of won, many chimneys were left abandoned, becoming a nuisance across various neighborhoods.
In particular, Ulsan is adjacent to major earthquake-prone areas such as Pohang and Gyeongju, raising ongoing concerns that the collapse of aging chimneys could lead to serious casualties.
The bathhouse industry has also been continuously requesting support for dismantling costs since 2022.
In response, Ulsan City launched a temporary program this year to subsidize 80% of dismantling costs for three years, until 2027.
According to a survey, a total of 66 sites have been identified for renovation. This year, 20 businesses applied, and within the budget, 15 were selected and fully demolished. Among them, 13 projects involved local companies, contributing to the regional economy.
The project has also had tangible effects, such as alleviating residents' anxiety by preventing various safety accidents and enhancing building values by improving the urban landscape.
Building on this year's experience, the city plans to renovate even more aging chimneys next year. To that end, it will upgrade project management by strengthening the review of pre-dismantling plans and on-site inspections.
A city official stated, "This project is expected to resolve concerns over various safety accidents and increase building values," adding, "We hope that more businesses will participate next year to help make Ulsan a safer and more pleasant city."
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