[News Terms] Direct Management of Sidewalks in Front of Buildings: the 'Bodo Iyangje' (Sidewalk Adoption System)

The 'Sidewalk Adoption System' is a system where individuals adopt pedestrian sidewalks. Sidewalks used by residents are adopted and directly managed by individuals, companies, or building owners in front of their buildings.

Individuals, companies, or building owners who adopt sidewalks can, after consulting with local governments, pave or repave public sidewalks. They can also create flower pots, flower beds, or rest areas at their own expense within the scope that does not obstruct pedestrian traffic. Building owners can decorate public sidewalks to create an atmosphere that matches the unique style of their own buildings and the characteristics of their business.

Individuals, companies, or building owners are delegated the authority to maintain and manage public sidewalks by local governments, taking charge of cleaning and repairs. This citizen-participation sidewalk management policy was first introduced nationwide by Seoul City in October 2013.

Among the 25 autonomous districts in Seoul, 11 districts including Gangnam-gu, Gangdong-gu, and Seocho-gu have records of sidewalk adoption, with a total of 88 sidewalks created and managed under the Sidewalk Adoption System. Sidewalks in front of large buildings capable of managing public sidewalks, such as those owned by major corporations like Samsung Electronics, LG, Hyundai Motor Company, POSCO, KT, Lotte Department Store, Hyundai Department Store, Shinsegae Department Store, as well as large banks and large churches, are the main targets.

The area in front of Lotte Department Store in Jung-gu, Seoul is decorated with high-quality paving materials and flower beds. The main branch of Lotte Department Store adopted the public sidewalk and decorated it at its own expense.
[Photo by Asia Economy DB]

In the United States, the system started in Texas in 1985 under the name 'Adopt-a-Highway' and is now implemented in all states. In New York City, since 2003, city ordinances have delegated the management responsibility of sidewalks in residential and commercial areas with four or more households (29% of the total sidewalk area in New York City) to the private sector. Additionally, countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, and Mexico also implement sidewalk adoption systems, showing significant results.

In fact, the public sidewalks in front of Shinsegae Department Store’s main branch and Lotte Department Store’s main branch in Jung-gu, Seoul, are paved with high-quality materials and flower pots or flower beds are frequently rearranged.