"Emergency Escape Through Operable Security Windows During Flooding and Fire"

Gangbuk-gu Supports Installation of ‘Openable Security Windows’ for Semi-basement Houses

Surveyed 15,549 Semi-basement Households Including Those with Disabled Residents and Flood History

Free Installation of ‘Openable Security Windows’ Provided to Households at Risk of Flooding

Openable Security Windows Facilitate Evacuation and Rescue During Emergencies Such as Internal Flooding and Fires

Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Soon-hee) announced that it will install ‘openable security windows’ for semi-basement households at risk to prevent flood damage and casualties, which are common in low-lying areas due to heavy rainfalls.

This measure aims to prevent recurrence of flood damage caused by last year’s record-breaking heavy rains. Anticipating heavy rainfall this summer due to the development of El Ni?o, the district conducted a field survey of a total of 15,549 semi-basement households before the rainy season. Currently, semi-basement houses in Gangbuk-gu account for 7.3% of Seoul’s total 212,962 units, making it the second highest among Seoul’s districts after Gwanak-gu.

The survey was conducted in four stages based on risk levels. Last year, 29 households with severely disabled residents (Stage 1) and 30 households with elderly and children residents (Stage 2) were surveyed. This year, 448 semi-basement houses with past flood history (Stage 3) and the remaining 15,042 semi-basement houses excluding Stages 1, 2, and 3 (Stage 4) were inspected.

The district prioritized visual inspections in areas with high flood risk by analyzing disaster history and terrain. Flood risk was classified into four levels: ‘Very High,’ ‘Moderate,’ ‘Slight,’ and ‘Not Necessary.’ Openable security windows will be installed after field measurements for households rated ‘Very High’ flood risk.

The field measurements comprehensively evaluate surrounding terrain conditions such as road width, slope, drainage availability, and the height difference between the ground and windows to make a final decision.

The installation targets include 11 households from Stages 1 and 2, 19 households from Stage 3, and 1,294 households from Stage 4 who consented after field measurements. Installation is planned to be completed by July.

A total of KRW 1.038 billion will be invested in this project, with KRW 519 million from the district budget and KRW 519 million from the city budget.

Lee Soon-hee, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu, stated, “Replacing fixed security windows in semi-basement houses with openable ones makes evacuation and rescue easier during internal flooding, fires, and other emergencies. We will do our best in urban safety management to make Gangbuk-gu a safe place free from flood and disaster concerns.”