Yangcheon-gu, Pilot Operation of New Concept Traffic Signal 'Alleyway and Hill Direction Caution Alert'

Real-time detection of moving objects with responsive sensors, pre-warning of dangerous situations via LED lighting and electronic display boards

Prevention of traffic accidents in narrow alleys and steep hills with limited visibility

Cost-saving by utilizing existing CCTV poles for installation, enabling big data collection on alley traffic status

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Yangcheon-gu (Mayor Lee Gi-jae) is operating the nation’s first new-concept alley traffic safety pilot project, ‘Alley and Hill Directional Warning System,’ to provide smart city services that residents can feel.

This project is part of the 8th term administration’s ‘Safe City’ pledge, establishing a ‘multi-directional risk warning signal system’ that informs in real time the dangerous directions for people and vehicles approaching alley intersections and two-way hills.

The ‘Directional Warning System’ instantly detects moving objects such as pedestrians, vehicles, motorcycles, and electric kickboards in alleys using responsive radar sensors, and pre-warns the travel direction through LED flashing. For hills, it not only lights LEDs but also displays two categories (pedestrians and vehicles) on electronic display boards to prevent accidents.

Additionally, the radar sensors, unaffected by weather, boast a maximum simultaneous detection range of up to five-way intersections (30m). Most importantly, installation can be done using existing CCTV poles, expected to save about 10 million KRW per device. Furthermore, in the future, big data collection and utilization on transportation means and alley traffic status by time can be conducted centered on the integrated control center, creating synergy with the ‘Smart City’ project promoted by Yangcheon-gu in cooperation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

The installation sites include two locations: an alley in the Mokdong area (48 Mokdongjungangseoro 11-gil) and a hill (16 Mokdongjungangbonro 1-gil), which are traffic risk areas featuring narrow alley intersections and steep two-way hills.

A district official stated, “In narrow alleys and steep slopes where visibility beyond the hill is difficult, sudden appearances of pedestrians and vehicles often cause traffic accidents. The ‘Directional Warning System’ that alerts moving objects ahead is expected to greatly contribute to accident prevention.”

The district plans to carefully review the pilot operation results of the ‘Directional Warning System’ and discuss additional installation sections in the future.

Lee Gi-jae, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu, said, “Securing traffic safety in alleys, the spaces closest to residents’ daily lives, will be the starting point toward a ‘Safe City Yangcheon.’ We hope that the new-concept alley signal system, introduced nationwide for the first time, will establish itself as a smart safety infrastructure that protects the precious daily lives of residents.”

Myeongil-dong Mikwan Square in Gangdong-gu transformed into a ‘Youth Safe Zone (tentative name)’ filled with dreams and romance

Seoul City Urban Landscape Project Competition, securing 1 billion KRW

Designed as a cultural healing and smoke-free space for youth by 2025

Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Soo-hee) is transforming Myeongil-dong Mikwan Square (around 47-11 Myeongil-dong) ? a representative academy district ? into a ‘Youth Safe Zone’ that offers dreams and romance to young people.

To this end, the district secured a budget of 1 billion KRW by applying to the Seoul City Urban Landscape Project earlier this year.

The Urban Landscape Project is a Seoul city initiative that creates representative brands through storytelling of local history and culture, improves and recreates urban landscapes with designs considerate of socially vulnerable groups. Gangdong-gu has been selected for this project for four consecutive years since 2020.

Myeongil-dong Mikwan Square is located behind Godeok Station, with about 120 academies and 25 elementary, middle, and high schools densely located within a 1 km radius. Accordingly, Gangdong-gu started this project to prevent crime in youth-dense areas and improve the space as a base for rest and creative ideas.

This project originated from Mayor Lee Soo-hee’s education-related pledges in the 8th term administration. First, by providing a safe space, it aims to ease parents’ concerns and make it a popular spot for youth socializing and meetings.

In particular, a safe zone and area will be established on side roads congested with school commute vehicles, transforming dark and secluded areas into bright and clean resting spaces. Along with this, spaces for cultural performances, meetings, discussions, and counseling will be created to encourage youth gatherings.

The district also plans to collaborate with the nearby Myeongil-dong Lifelong Learning Center and surrounding schools to hold youth psychological and academic counseling, entrance exam briefings, allowing both students and parents to experience Gangdong-gu’s excellent educational environment.

The district will start design services in the first half of this year and complete construction by the end of 2024, with a total budget of 1 billion KRW, including 500 million KRW from city funds.

Apartment complex view in Seongdong-gu

Seongdong-gu supports safety in apartment complexes with a 1.4 billion KRW budget this year

Expanding support for residents’ safety and life-oriented projects such as repair and reinforcement of aging facilities in apartment complexes

Integrated briefing session on apartment complex support projects held at Seongdong-gu Office 3rd floor auditorium at 2 p.m. on the 7th

Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jung Won-oh) is implementing the ‘2023 Apartment Complex Support Project’ with a total budget of 1.4 billion KRW targeting 160 apartment complexes and 67,159 households.

The apartment complex support project conducted by the district provides 50% to up to 70% of the project costs needed for maintenance of aging common facilities in apartment complexes. Especially, with apartment complexes accounting for over 81% of the area, Seongdong-gu has allocated 1.4 billion KRW this year to actively support repair and maintenance of aging common facilities, aiming to create a pleasant living environment in apartment complexes.

Up to four projects per apartment complex can be supported. The support projects include ▲improvement of common facilities in apartment complexes ▲installation of life-oriented bicycle air pumps ▲support for electricity costs of outdoor security lights ▲cooling costs support during heat waves (2 months) for workers such as managers and cleaners.

The district plans to focus on support projects for apartment complex safety management this year, such as installation of disaster evacuation facilities (external escape evacuation facilities), CCTV installation, and repair of exterior wall cracks. Additionally, as a life-oriented project, it will support pilot installation of ‘bicycle air pumps’ to encourage eco-friendly transportation.

Apartment complexes with 20 or more households wishing to apply should prepare the necessary documents through the management entity and submit them in person or by mail to the Housing Policy Division of the district office from the 7th of this month to the 8th of next month.

Moreover, the district is promoting the ‘2023 Apartment Complex Community Activation Contest’ to foster a sustainable community culture among residents, providing differential support ranging from 1 million to 6 million KRW per project.

An integrated briefing session on the apartment complex support projects, including mandatory education on the operation and ethics of residents’ representative meetings, will be held at 2 p.m. on the 7th at the 3rd floor auditorium of Seongdong-gu Office, aiming to realize one-stop administration.

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “This year, we plan to prioritize reinforcement of apartment complex facilities to prepare for disasters. We will secure the safety of apartment complexes where the majority of residents live to create a more pleasant residential environment.”