Completion of Street Signboard and Streetscape Improvement in Gongneung-dong, Nowon-gu

[Seoul District News] Nowon-gu Replaces 89 Uneven Signs with Energy-Saving LED Signs, Cleans Up Illegal Advertisements · Artistic Works Using Retaining Walls, Installation of Elevated Crosswalks for Pedestrian-Friendly Streets... Gangdong-gu Installs Ground Traffic Lights in High Pedestrian Areas to Prevent Accidents... Dongjak-gu Operates 171 Senior Citizen Rest Areas... Gangseo-gu Holds 'District Development Idea' Contest

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Nowon-gu (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) has completed the signboard and streetscape improvement project in the Gongneung-dong area.

According to the ‘Nowon-gu Urban Leisure Population Big Data’ jointly conducted by Nowon-gu Office Smart City Team, KT AI/Bigdata Convergence Business Division, and Korea University Digital Innovation Research Center, the area around Gongneung Station is an emerging tourist commercial district, with tourism consumption in 2021 rising by 32.8% compared to the previous year, reaching 16.6 billion KRW.

In particular, the two-way routes ‘Gongneung Station ~ Seoul National University of Science and Technology’ and ‘Gongneung Station ~ Gongneung 1 Sumun Intersection’ are major roads adjacent to the Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail and leading to the university area.

The district carried out a ‘signboard improvement project’ replacing faded or irregular illegal signboards that stood out with energy-saving, unified LED signboards.

They signed a business agreement with the Signboard Improvement Residents’ Committee, composed of business owners and building owners in the area, collected residents’ opinions through explanatory meetings, and after review by the Outdoor Advertising Deliberation Committee, designed signboards suited to the street and business characteristics. A total of 89 business signboards were replaced and 46 illegal advertisements were cleaned up, giving the area a neat new look.

To enhance the efficiency of the signboard improvement project, the district also simultaneously promoted the ‘streetscape improvement project.’

For 18 detailed projects including road name sign maintenance, small park creation, inspection and painting of old fire hydrants, and replacement of old fences, 14 departments cooperated closely to carry out the work.

Especially, the 55m long grayish barren retaining wall along the Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail features a traditional Korean multicolored paint relief artwork symbolizing the long history of the Gyeongchun Line, attracting the attention of passersby.

Additionally, stair rest area reliefs and flower path typography add visual enjoyment for visitors.

A raised crosswalk was also installed for safe pedestrian crossing. Unlike ordinary crosswalks, the raised crosswalk, shaped like a speed bump, induces vehicle deceleration, allowing pedestrians to cross safely. Furthermore, the railroad crossing gate post, which was located near the crosswalk and obstructed pedestrian movement, was relocated inside the green belt, and road name signs were maintained.

The district plans to unify poles for traffic lights, street lamps, CCTV, and various distribution boxes in the future to enhance pedestrian safety and walking rights.

Moreover, continuous crackdowns on illegally dumped garbage and illegal advertisements will create a pleasant environment, making the Gongneung Station area a ‘walkable street and a street people want to visit.’

Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, “I thank the business stakeholders who actively participated in the signboard and streetscape improvement projects,” and added, “We will revitalize the local economy through the creation of an urban leisure space street belt connecting Gongneung Station, Gongneung Dokkaebi Market, and Noodle Street.”

Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Jung-hoon) has installed ground-level traffic lights at five crosswalks in the Amsa-dong area, where pedestrian traffic is heavy.

This is especially meaningful as it was achieved through a resident participation budget project proposed by residents in 2021, reflecting the community’s direct recognition of local issues and efforts to improve them.

The ‘Amsa-dong Ground Traffic Light Installation Project,’ promoted through the resident participation budget system with a budget of about 100 million KRW, is expected to greatly help prevent traffic accidents at crosswalks in the area, receiving strong support from residents.

To prevent so-called Smombie (a portmanteau of smartphone and zombie) traffic accidents caused by pedestrians distracted by smartphones failing to notice vehicles, Gangdong-gu piloted ground traffic lights at two crosswalks in 2020, and last year expanded installation to 54 crosswalks including school zones and subway station areas, focusing on pedestrian traffic safety.

The district announced plans to install ground traffic lights at about 30 additional locations this year, including five crosswalks in Amsa-dong.

Mayor Lee Jung-hoon said, “This is the result of small resident interest and proposals leading to significant changes in the community,” and added, “We ask for residents’ continued active participation in district administration and current issues.”

Dongjak-gu (Mayor Lee Chang-woo) is operating 171 heatwave shelters until September 30 to protect the health of the elderly and other heat-vulnerable groups.

The district has designated and operates a total of 171 heatwave shelters including 141 senior centers, 15 community service centers, 8 welfare centers, 2 safety accommodations, 4 libraries, and the district office civil service center.

Operating hours are weekdays from 9 AM to 6 PM. When a heatwave advisory is issued, the 15 community service centers and 8 welfare centers extend operation until 9 PM, and on weekends and holidays, operation is until 6 PM. Libraries are available during their regular operating hours.

From this year, libraries, which can be freely used by all age groups, are designated and managed as shelters, providing not only relief from heat but also opportunities for reading and participation in various cultural programs, achieving multiple benefits.

Additionally, during nighttime heatwave advisories in July and August, 20 rooms in 2 lodging facilities operate as night shelters (from 7 PM to 9 AM the next day). The heatwave safety accommodations are available to low-income elderly aged 60 or older living in poor housing conditions. Elderly wishing to use the safety accommodations can apply through their local community service center.

Detailed information about heatwave shelter operations can be obtained through the Dongjak-gu Elderly and Disabled Division and local community service centers.

All indoor heatwave shelters implement ▲designation of quarantine managers ▲visitor logs ▲hand sanitizer provision ▲regular ventilation to prioritize user safety.

Furthermore, the district operates 134 ‘disaster helpers’ including social workers and elderly customized care support workers to strengthen safety checks for vulnerable groups during the heatwave period. Using IoT devices and phone calls, they check on residents in real time and promote heatwave safety guidelines and shelter information to ensure elderly protection.

Lee Sun-hee, head of the Elderly and Disabled Division, said, “We will do our best to prepare so that the elderly can prevent heat-related illnesses and safely get through this summer through the operation of heatwave shelters.”

Gangseo-gu, Seoul (Mayor Roh Hyun-song) is seeking brilliant ideas to help develop district administration.

The district announced that it will hold the ‘2022 First Half District Development Idea Contest’ until June 30.

The purpose is to actively reflect diverse opinions and creative ideas from residents into district administration to provide more advanced administrative services.

The contest is divided into designated topics and free topics.

The designated topics include four themes: ▲overcoming low birthrate and aging ▲protection and support for socially and digitally vulnerable groups ▲strengthening safety and care for single-person households ▲ideas for achieving carbon neutrality.

The free topics include three themes: ▲opinions on improvement of administrative systems, services, and operations ▲various matters related to improving residents’ lives and convenience ▲ways to increase district revenue, reduce budget, and new projects. Participants can freely propose ideas matching each theme.

Anyone interested in Gangseo-gu administration can participate. Applicants must fill out a proposal and consent form for collection, use, and provision of personal information, and submit by June 30 via Gangseo-gu Office or the Government e-People website. Submission by mail, fax, or visit to the Gangseo-gu Planning and Budget Division is also possible.

More details on application methods can be found on the Gangseo-gu Office website under ‘Gangseo News - Notices/News.’

After departmental review and practical screening, eight ideas will be selected through resident voting and the Proposal Review Committee’s final evaluation by August, and results will be individually notified to proposers.

Selected proposers will receive prize money according to award levels: Grand Prize 1 person 1,000,000 KRW, Excellence Award 1 person 700,000 KRW, Merit Award 2 persons 500,000 KRW each, Encouragement Award 4 persons 200,000 KRW each.

A district official said, “This contest was prepared to actively discover and promote policies truly needed from the residents’ perspective,” and added, “If it is for district development, please do not hesitate to freely propose even small ideas.”