Dongjak-gu, Emergency Inspection Support for Buildings Damaged by Heavy Rain

[Seoul District News] Dongjak-gu, On-site Inspection by Regional Building Safety Center Experts for Buildings Damaged by Heavy Rain... Jungnang-gu, Upgrading 235 Old Security Lights in Residential Areas with Low LED Improvement Rates... Gwanak-gu, Accelerating Repairs of Overhead Cables Cut and Sagging Due to Heavy Rain... Geumcheon-gu, Adding Road Heating Systems for Winter Snow on 840m of Steep Side Streets Including Tapgol-ro... Yeongdeungpo-gu, Operating Second Half Village After-School Programs (Science, Creative Art, Crafts, Pottery, Gardening, Book Play, etc.)

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Dongjak-gu (Mayor Park Il-ha) has launched an emergency inspection targeting buildings in areas that have suffered damage or are at risk of damage due to heavy rain.

This was prepared to alleviate residents' concerns about risks such as building cracks and the collapse of auxiliary facilities (walls, retaining walls, etc.) caused by the record-breaking heavy rain on the 8th and 9th.

This inspection expands the regularly conducted “visiting safety inspection,” which was previously limited to aging private buildings, to include buildings damaged by heavy rain.

Experts from the Regional Building Safety Center visit the sites directly to thoroughly check for structural safety risk factors such as cracks and deformations in buildings and facilities.

After visually assessing safety vulnerabilities, they suggest safety measures and maintenance methods, and if serious defects are found, they guide the implementation of emergency inspections or detailed safety diagnoses.

Through a day-and-night emergency inspection system during the heavy rain period, from the 8th to the 21st, a total of 31 buildings damaged by heavy rain were reviewed for safety, and emergency inspections were supported with repair and reinforcement plans.

In the future, building owners or managers wishing to have safety inspections regardless of heavy rain damage can apply by phone to the Safety and Disaster Management Office of Dongjak-gu Office.

Mayor Park Il-ha of Dongjak-gu said, “We expect the inspections to greatly help alleviate residents' concerns about safety accidents such as building cracks,” adding, “We plan to reorganize the organization in September to strengthen Dongjak-gu’s safety and disaster prevention functions and will spare no effort to help residents return to their daily lives stably as soon as possible.”

Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) is accelerating maintenance in areas where the condition of aerial cables worsened due to heavy rain on the 8th.

Aerial cables, which refer to electric and communication lines connected to utility poles, become stretched and detached over time due to aging, frequent attachment/detachment, or natural disasters, threatening pedestrian safety and damaging urban aesthetics. Especially due to this heavy rain, urgent maintenance of aerial cables became necessary, prompting emergency restoration efforts.

The district is working with the Aerial Cable Maintenance Council, composed of eight electric and communication operators including KEPCO and KT, to identify and promptly address damage to aerial cables caused by the heavy rain.

The district selected six neighborhoods including Boramae-dong as joint maintenance zones to repair aerial cables. Earlier this year, it secured a budget of 4.2 billion KRW after receiving the highest grade “Excellent” in the Ministry of Science and ICT’s aerial cable maintenance project evaluation.

For inquiries related to aerial cable maintenance, contact the Construction Management Division of Gwanak-gu Office or the Aerial Cable Maintenance Call Center.

Mayor Park Jun-hee of Gwanak-gu stated, “Damage caused by heavy rain is urgent to restore not only on the ground but also in the air. We will respond swiftly to protect the safety of local residents and urban aesthetics through prompt aerial cable maintenance.”

Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) has completed a project to upgrade old security lights in residential areas with low LED upgrade rates, including Mangubon-dong, Sangbong 1-dong, and Junghwa 2-dong.

The existing security lights caused inconvenience to residents by allowing light to spread and enter windows, disturbing sleep. However, the newly upgraded LED security lights reduce light pollution in residential areas and have higher illuminance, making it easier to identify objects and thus greatly enhancing crime prevention.

The upgrade project invested 230 million KRW. A total of 235 old sodium and metal security lights were replaced with high-efficiency LED security lights, and 30 additional lights were installed in secluded roads and areas requested by residents.

Five years ago, the LED lighting rate in the district was 23%, but after planned upgrades, the current LED security light upgrade rate has reached 63.6%. Last year, 187 smart security lights linked with the Ansim-i app were installed in areas around Sangbong Station and Myeonmok Station, which have a high concentration of single-person households. In April this year, 288 smart security lights were installed in Muk 2-dong, and in October, an additional 340 smart security lights will be installed in the alleys of Sangbong 2-dong.

Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi of Jungnang-gu said, “Replacing old security lights with high-efficiency LED lights will reduce inconveniences such as light pollution and make walking paths brighter and safer,” adding, “We will continue to do our best to create a safe and comfortable walking environment for residents through ongoing upgrade projects.”

Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon) announced that as part of winter snow removal measures, it will introduce road heating cables to four additional side roads vulnerable to snow removal, following last year’s installation on the steep road of Geumha-ro.

The total length of the planned installation sections is 840 meters, including ▲Tapgol-ro (Siheung-dong 1010-11, 140m two lanes) ▲Tapgol-ro 10-gil (from Donggwang Elementary School entrance to Geumha-ro 773, 70m one lane) ▲Doksan-ro 54-gil (from Doksan-dong 917-15 to Doksan-ro 54-gil 188, 125m two lanes) ▲Doksan-ro 54-gil (from San Gisuk Park intersection to Doksan-ro 54-gil 32, 120m two lanes).

The heating cable system installs heating cables beneath the road surface, which automatically activate through sensors on the road surface during snowfall to directly melt snow. This reduces the use of snow removal agents during heavy snow, preventing corrosion of road facilities and benefiting the environment as an eco-friendly snow removal method. It also allows efficient response with fewer personnel during snowfall.

Geumcheon-gu has been operating road heating cables on a 1,335-meter section of Geumha-ro’s steep slope (from Siheung 2-dong Community Center to the entrance of Byeoksan 5th Complex Apartments) since December last year, covering both directions of the first and second lanes.

The four locations to be installed this year have secured 1.05 billion KRW in city funds, and installation is scheduled to be completed by October.

In addition to installing road heating cables, Geumcheon-gu is preparing for heavy snow by completing a snow removal forward base building, purchasing one large and ten small spreaders, securing 700 tons of snow removal agents, and reorganizing emergency contact networks.

Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon of Geumcheon-gu said, “We will strengthen proactive snow removal response systems during winter heavy snow to minimize traffic inconvenience and ensure residents’ safety.”

Yeongdeungpo-gu (Mayor Choi Ho-kwon) will operate the Yeongdeungpo-style after-school program “n Lives - n Schools” from September to nurture creative and convergent talents.

Now in its seventh year, “n Lives - n Schools” is a project that actively utilizes local resources such as art workshops and non-profit organizations to support educational activities where students can rest and learn.

In the first half of this year, 59 after-school courses tailored to students’ levels, such as picture book theater play and cooking classes, were opened and operated, receiving much interest and positive feedback from students and parents.

In the second half, the district plans to offer interesting and distinctive courses through cooperation with various local resources to help students’ holistic growth through diverse experiences and play activities.

Main programs include ▲AI with Entry ▲Easy and Fun Coding Class ▲My Own Painted Bowl ▲Let’s Exercise Together ▲Flower Healing Camp ▲Dreamy Painting ▲Total Life Crafts, totaling 91 courses. Classes are 90 minutes per session over 10 weeks. Tuition is completely free.

The second half of “n Lives - n Schools” will run from September 19 to December 5, and any elementary or middle school student residing in Yeongdeungpo-gu can participate.

Applications can be made on the Yeongdeungpo-gu Office website under ‘Integrated Reservation - Education & Courses - Innovative Education.’ The first application period is from August 22 to 24, with courses filled on a first-come, first-served basis. If spots remain, a second application period will be held from August 29 to 31.

Details such as locations, program schedules, target participants, and capacity can be found on the Yeongdeungpo-gu Office website and the Yeongdeungpo Innovative Education Support Center blog.

Park Sang-jun, Director of Future Education, said, “We hope students can feel joy and accomplishment through creative play and experiential after-school activities,” adding, “We will continue to strive to provide high-quality educational activities for the continuous learning and growth of children and youth.”