Mapo-gu Completes Rooftop Work for Vulnerable Groups in Seoul's First Dong-Level Cool Roof Project

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[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Mapo-gu (Mayor Yudonggyun) carried out the installation of cool roofs on rooftop rooms for vulnerable groups in Daeheung-dong through the cool roof construction project, the first of its kind at the neighborhood level in Seoul.

The cool roof construction project involves painting building roofs or rooftops with highly reflective white heat-insulating paint, which lowers the rooftop floor temperature by 20~30℃ and indoor building temperature by 2~3℃. This simultaneously reduces cooling energy use and carbon emissions, contributing to improved air quality and greenhouse gas reduction.

The Daeheung-dong Community Center signed an agreement last July with the Daeheung-dong Residents’ Autonomous Committee and the Cool Roof Social Cooperative (hereafter Social Cooperative), which cools the Earth, and launched this first project to install cool roofs on rooftop rooms for vulnerable groups.

Accordingly, on the 14th, about 20 people including the head of Daeheung-dong, district council members, the Daeheung-dong Residents’ Autonomous Committee, and the Social Cooperative attended a kickoff ceremony at the Daeheung-dong Community Center, and cool roof installation was carried out on the rooftops of 15 vulnerable households pre-selected in Daeheung-dong.

The project targets were selected based on recommendations from Daeheung-dong neighborhood leaders who are well acquainted with local conditions. Accordingly, work was carried out on 15 rooftop rooms (living spaces within 26㎡) located in high-altitude areas.

Meanwhile, the construction work was carried out by young cool roof installation experts trained through the “Green New Deal Youth Job Training Project,” which Korea District Heating Corporation and the Social Cooperative have been conducting since May to create youth jobs and respond to climate change, adding significance to the project.

Yudonggyun, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, “To protect residents’ health from rapid weather changes, we will continue to promote the cool roof project, which can be carried out relatively simply without major construction.” He added, “Furthermore, we plan to expand the project to install cool roofs on security guard rooms in apartment complexes to improve their working conditions, and we hope residents will also participate in low-carbon living practices and greenhouse gas reduction efforts in response to the climate crisis.”