Gwanak-gu Office 'Gang Gam-chan Health Staircase' Established

[Seoul District News] Gwanak-gu Provides Various Health Information Including Alcohol Abstinence, Smoking Cessation, Hypertension, CPR from B1 to 9th Floor of Office Building & Offers Health Information via Friendly ‘Gang Gamchan’ Character Health Stairs ... Gwangjin-gu Removes 8 Long-Term Unoperated Street Stalls near Gangbyeon and Konkuk Univ. Stations

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) has transformed the existing aging comprehensive government building’s health stairs into the ‘Gang Gam-chan Health Stairs’ to promote health in daily life and save energy.

Since the Gwanak-gu Office building is a space frequently visited by employees and residents, it plans to create a healthy communication space where anyone wants to walk by introducing the latest health information along with the exercise effects of using the stairs.

The ‘Gang Gam-chan Health Stairs’ feature various themed health information on each floor from basement level 1 to the 9th floor, including ▲obesity symptoms ▲diabetes management ▲smoking cessation methods ▲cardiopulmonary resuscitation, presented with fresh and eye-catching images to prevent boredom for those climbing the stairs.

On a total of 234 steps and walls, phrases encouraging stair walking such as ‘Energize with the boring Ilsan stair walk!’ and ‘It’s tough but refreshing’ are posted along with calorie consumption from walking and positive physical changes.

The exercise effect of stair climbing burns about 1.5 times more calories than walking on flat ground, consuming 0.15 kcal per step. It has benefits such as fat reduction, improved cardiopulmonary function, and enhanced blood circulation. Climbing all the ‘Gang Gam-chan Health Stairs’ burns 35.1 kcal and can extend healthy lifespan.

Also, compared to fast walking, stair climbing is excellent for muscle strengthening and improving body balance, making it a recommended exercise for residents and office workers who lack physical activity in winter.

In particular, the district utilized its representative mascot, the ‘Gang Gam-chan’ character, incorporating the cute and bright healthy character image throughout the stairs to bring joy to those climbing.

Additionally, the ‘Gang Gam-chan Health Stairs’ serve as the easiest carbon-neutral lifestyle practice by reducing elevator use, saving energy, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions, achieving a dual effect of health and environmental care.

A district official said, “Health exercise is not something far away but can be easily practiced around daily life,” adding, “We hope people catch two rabbits with one stone by taking a moment to walk the stairs for health and energy saving.”

The appearance after maintenance of the northern end of Olympic Bridge

Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Kyung-ho) has renovated eight long-term non-operating street vendor stalls through continuous communication with the vendors.

Since demolition work can lead to physical conflicts, sufficient dialogue and persuasion with the street vendors are necessary.

Accordingly, since August, the district conducted a full survey of street vendor status in the area and attempted dozens of meetings with vendors requiring renovation to explain the urgency and validity of the demolition work.

After about three months of relentless communication and persuasion, consent for demolition was obtained from eight locations. Six sites near Exit 1 of Gangbyeon Station, one site in front of Exit 2 of Konkuk University Station, and one street vendor near the northern end of Olympic Bridge were renovated, opening up the previously narrow and cramped roads.

On the demolition day, the street vendor group attracted attention by cleaning up the demolition debris together in a unique scene. One vendor said, “I was moved by their understanding of our position and the effort to find a consensus without force.”

The district plans to continue promoting the ‘Urban Emptying’ project to create a pleasant and safe walking environment and swiftly renovate illegal street vendors.

Mayor Kim Kyung-ho said, “Achieving this through communication without physical conflict makes the result more meaningful and valuable,” adding, “We will continue to communicate tirelessly to create a clean and safe urban environment that satisfies both local merchants and residents.”