Dongjak-gu Noryangjin Cupbap Street Transformed Neatly

Investment of Approximately 290 Million Won for Clear Air Shelter, Cooling Fog, and Night Lighting Installation Completed... Creating Comfortable Rest Spaces for Examinees and Residents to Prevent Heat Island Effect and Fine Dust Generation

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Dongjak-gu (Mayor Chang-woo Lee) has completed environmental improvements of the Noryangjin Cupbap Street (170 Noryangjin-ro) to revitalize the local economy, which has been stagnant due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, and to enhance convenience for residents using the area, and has begun full-scale operation.

Since 2015, the district has transformed the disorderly established Noryangjin Cupbap Street by relocating and reorganizing it through consultations with street vendors, turning it into a mutually beneficial street that provides safe pedestrian rights for residents and a stable livelihood for street vendors.

This project invested approximately 290 million KRW to reduce the urban heat island effect and fine dust generation in the Cupbap Street, which has many examinees and floating populations, and to create a comfortable urban environment where residents can relax. Facilities installed include a Clear Air Rest Area, Cooling Fog, and nighttime lighting.

First, two 'Clear Air Rest Areas' have been created and are being operated in the available sidewalk spaces of Cupbap Street.

The rest areas, measuring 5.5m wide × 2.2m deep × 2.5m high and equipped with tables, serve as resting spaces where examinees and residents can enjoy Cupbap street food while avoiding heat and cold.

Air purifiers installed on the walls of the rest areas clean various pollutants in the air, and heating and cooling facilities are also provided, offering visitors comfort throughout all four seasons.

The rest areas are open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and to prevent safety accidents, they automatically close after 11 p.m.

Additionally, a cooling fog system has been installed along 26 Cupbap street booths, covering a total length of approximately 92 meters.

Using one-thirtieth the power of an air conditioner, the system releases 20μm water particles through mist (fog) nozzles, which cools the surrounding temperature by 3 to 5°C without wetting the ground or people, thereby mitigating the urban heat island effect and reducing fine dust and ozone concentrations. It operates flexibly depending on weather conditions such as temperatures above 28°C or when fine dust levels are poor or worse. However, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the district will refrain from operating the cooling fog system for the time being and will adjust the operation timing according to the infectious disease situation.

Furthermore, in consultation with the Cupbap Street vendors' association, the district installed about 600 LED nighttime lights on Cupbap Street, creating a retro atmosphere that brings joy to residents.

Along with this, promotional spaces utilizing the walls of the Cupbap booths have been created to promote the district and improve the urban landscape.

The district plans to install LED lighting sculptures called Luminarie on Noryangjin Cupbap Street to provide visual attractions and entertainment for residents visiting the area.

Chang-woo Lee, Mayor of Dongjak-gu, said, “Through this project, we will revitalize the local economy, which has been stagnant due to COVID-19, and provide a pleasant and safe space for examinees and residents visiting Noryangjin Cupbap Street during the summer. We will continue to do our best to create a street environment where residents want to walk.”