Anyone Accompanied by Pregnant Women, Infants, or Elderly
Seoul City will convert more than 50,000 parking spaces previously designated as women-only parking zones into parking spaces for families and vulnerable groups.
On the 24th, the city announced that following the enforcement of the 'Parking Lot Installation and Management Ordinance' on the 18th, it will actively create family-friendly parking lots starting in the second half of this year.
Article 25-2 of the revised ordinance changes the installation standards for women-only parking spaces to those for family-friendly parking spaces.
Family-friendly parking spaces can be used by pregnant women or those within six months postpartum, children under six years old who are not yet in school, elderly individuals, and others who have difficulty with daily activities, as well as those accompanying them.
The existing women-only parking spaces were introduced in 2009 to ensure women's safety. At least 10% of the total parking spaces in lots with 30 or more spaces were designated as women-only. Men accompanying children or pregnant women were also allowed to use these spaces.
However, due to limitations of the terminology and lack of promotion, even these men did not use the spaces, and women faced reverse discrimination remarks, making the spaces uncomfortable for everyone. In fact, the usage rate by women was only about 16%.
The city stated that the family-friendly parking spaces will be created in 3,000 public and private parking lots with 30 or more women-only parking spaces, totaling 56,285 spaces. The installation ratio is at least 10% of the total parking spaces.
By the first half of next year, Seoul City plans to convert 654 women-only parking lots with 10,952 spaces in public parking lots managed by the city and autonomous districts into family-friendly parking lots. For 2,346 private parking lots with 45,333 spaces, the city will complete the conversion by 2025 through public guidance and promotion.
The parking space lines will change from the existing pink to a white background with solid lines in Kkotdam Hwangto color. Pictograms and the words "Family-Friendly Parking" will also be displayed in solid Kkotdam Hwangto lines. If family-friendly parking spaces are not installed, the corresponding spaces in parking lots with women-only parking can be used as family-friendly parking spaces.
Even if family-friendly parking spaces are not installed, the corresponding zones in parking lots with women-only parking can be used as family-friendly parking spaces.
Yoon Jong-jang, Director of Urban Transportation at Seoul City, said, "We will swiftly promote the installation project so that everyone can use parking services safely and conveniently," adding, "We will do our best to find customized transportation administration that accompanies the vulnerable and brings happiness to families in this era of low birth rates and aging."
Earlier, Mayor Oh Se-hoon announced the 'Mom and Dad Happiness Project' in August last year, stating that women-only parking spaces would be converted into family-priority parking spaces.
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