[Seoul District News] Gangnam-gu Kicks Off Last Month's District Unit Plan Service Report Meeting & Utilizing Big Data, AI Simulation Technology ... Songpa-gu Installs at Signal-Free Crosswalk in Front of ‘Jamjeon Elementary School’
[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Gangnam-gu (District Mayor Seongmyeong Jo) has officially launched the “Dosan-daero Area District Unit Plan Establishment” to develop the Dosan-daero area, where two new stations on the Wirye-Sinsa Line are planned, into a global beauty and cultural platform combining commerce, culture, and arts.
The Dosan-daero area, which connects Sinsa-dong and Cheongdam-dong and runs east-west through Gangnam-gu, includes Garosugil, Apgujeong Rodeo Street, and the Cheongdam-dong fashion and luxury brand street. Although discussions to develop this area into a global beauty and cultural cluster have been ongoing, the lack of a concrete urban management plan has limited goal setting and management.
Furthermore, with the Wirye-Sinsa Line scheduled to open in 2027, a significant increase in foot traffic and revitalization of surrounding commercial areas is expected, making it urgent to prepare an urban plan that reflects the local characteristics.
Accordingly, Gangnam-gu selected a service provider in June to establish the Dosan-daero area district unit plan, held a project kickoff meeting in July to discuss the project with experts from various fields, and designated the area between Sinsa Station and Bongeunsa Station as the district unit plan zone. The district plans to utilize big data analysis and AI simulation techniques to understand foot traffic and trends and aims to establish a differentiated district unit plan by December 2023.
The main contents of the district unit plan include ▲reviewing high-density mixed-use development projects centered on new station areas ▲creating an international tourism hub through specialized street connections ▲building a global business and beauty platform combining commerce, culture, and arts ▲introducing eco-friendly buildings ▲and creating a pedestrian-friendly city.
Seongmyeong Jo, Mayor of Gangnam-gu, stated, “We plan to establish the district unit plan by fully collecting opinions from residents, related organizations, and experts. Through this, we will create a global beauty and cultural cluster linked with specialized streets such as Garosugil, Apgujeong Rodeo Street, and Cheongdam-dong luxury brand street, which have already become the mecca of beauty and fashion in Korea, and proceed with new station area development projects to rebirth the Dosan-daero area as a premium space where the dignity of Gangnam can be fully felt.”
Songpa-gu (District Mayor Gangseok Seo) will install the “Songpa-type Advanced Yellow Carpet” equipped with cutting-edge equipment in front of the main gate of Jamjeon Elementary School in September to improve blind spots on school routes.
The target site, in front of Jamjeon Elementary School’s main gate, currently has a yellow carpet installed at the unsignalized crosswalk for pedestrian safety. However, due to blind spots caused by parked vehicles and buildings, there is a high risk of traffic accidents, requiring special caution.
Accordingly, the district will install the “Songpa-type Advanced Yellow Carpet” to improve the pedestrian environment.
The “Songpa-type Advanced Yellow Carpet,” the first of its kind nationwide, is a traffic safety system equipped with an AI camera. The camera detects passing vehicles in real time and displays approaching vehicle footage on the yellow carpet’s partition monitor. Additionally, LED lights around the partition and highly directional speakers alert pedestrians to approaching vehicles.
The district will also install the “Songpa-type Advanced Traffic Safety Keeper” in front of Jamjeon Elementary School. This system was first installed nationwide last year in front of Pungnap Elementary School. It displays cautionary messages such as “Vehicle approaching!” and “Look left and right!” on a monitor above the school gate to prevent accidents involving children leaving the school. This time, a voice warning saying “A vehicle is approaching, please be cautious” will be added for more direct accident prevention.
The district plans to complete the installation of both systems by September, when the new school term begins, actively eliminating safety blind spots at unsignalized crosswalks and intersections and striving to prevent traffic accidents in school zones.
Gangseok Seo, Mayor of Songpa-gu, said, “Songpa-gu has the largest number of students in Seoul, about 67,000, so we are making every effort to ensure safety on school routes. Through the ‘Songpa-type Advanced Yellow Carpet,’ which was devised for the first time nationwide, we will actively help students and drivers recognize hazards on school routes in real time on site and prevent accidents.”
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