Geumcheon-gu Doksan 1-dong Creates Fine Dust Safe Neighborhood

Doksan 1-dong Area Designated as Nation's First Fine Dust Intensive Management Zone (Safe Zone)...Support for Vulnerable Facilities and Implementation of Localized Reduction Measures Within the Zone

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yu Seong-hoon) has finalized the support project for the area around Doksan 1-dong, which was designated as the first Fine Dust Concentrated Management Zone (Seoul-type Fine Dust Safe Zone) nationwide in January, and will begin full-scale implementation from March.

The "Fine Dust Concentrated Management Zone" refers to a safe zone aimed at preventing and minimizing health damage to vulnerable groups affected by fine dust. According to Article 22 of the "Special Act on the Reduction and Management of Fine Dust," it can be designated by the governors of each city and province, mayors, county governors, and district heads, targeting areas where the annual average concentration of fine dust (PM10) exceeds 50㎍ per ㎥ and ultrafine dust (PM2.5) exceeds 15㎍.

The district plans to implement various effective fine dust reduction and protection measures that are tailored to local characteristics and can be felt by local residents, with a support fund of 300 million won received from Seoul City.

First, resident support projects will be prioritized, including the installation of window-attached ventilation systems and plant walls to protect users of facilities for vulnerable groups during high-concentration fine dust occurrences, installation of air curtains and smart air showers to prevent the inflow of fine dust from outside, and the creation of fine dust shelters.

Additionally, measures to reduce fine dust will be implemented, such as installing simple fine dust measuring devices, supporting the installation of prevention facilities at air emission workplaces, strengthening the operation of road cleaning vehicles (sprinkling and dust collection), intensifying guidance and inspections of dust-generating workplaces, and focusing on crackdowns on vehicle emissions and idling.

Other projects to reduce fine dust in daily life will also be promoted, targeting vulnerable facilities within the fine dust concentrated zone, including cool roof projects for elderly and childcare facilities, support for converting children's commuting vehicles to LPG, replacement support for eco-friendly boilers, and mileage programs for passenger cars and eco mileage.

The district operates the "Fine Dust Concentrated Management Zone Public-Private Council," composed of officials from Seoul City and Geumcheon-gu, representatives of vulnerable facilities, air emission workplaces, and experts, to discover customized projects suited to local characteristics and prepare improvement plans for fine dust measures. They also plan to install floor markings to guide the fine dust concentrated management zone and conduct related publicity.

Yu Seong-hoon, Mayor of Geumcheon-gu, said, "As the first fine dust concentrated management zone designated nationwide, we will actively promote region-tailored projects for residents and do our best to make Geumcheon-gu a leading city in fine dust response."

For more details, inquiries can be made to the Environment Division of Geumcheon-gu Office (☏2627-1528).