Seocho-gu Selected as an Excellent Institution in the 'Seoul Universal Design Award'

Gu District's Generation-Integrated Public Space 'Yesul Children’s Park' Recognized for Excellence in Environmental Development
Meets 5 Core Values of Universal Design, Provides Generation-Integrated Space Addressing Low Birthrate and Aging Population
Playground with Senior Center Praised as Shared Space for Children, Seniors, and Residents, with Safety Improvements and Crime Prevention

Seocho 3-dong Yesul Children's Park

Seocho 3-dong Art Children's Park (1455-4 Seocho-dong) has been recognized as the nation's top-level public universal design site.

Seocho-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Jeon Seong-su) was selected as an outstanding institution in the public environment category of the '2023 Seoul Universal Design Awards' hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

Universal design refers to designs that anyone can use safely and conveniently regardless of age, gender, nationality, or disability.

This competition is held to expand social awareness of universal design and share excellent cases, and has been conducted nationwide since 2021. It is divided into three categories: environment creation, service, and product, selecting a total of 12 outstanding cases from both private and public sectors.

Accordingly, Seocho 3-dong Art Children's Park was recognized for excellence by applying the five shared values of universal design under the theme of 'Intergenerational Public Space': ▲unrestricted sharing ▲stable balance ▲respected diversity ▲innovative change ▲safe space.

In particular, 'Art Children's Park' was praised as a space where children and seniors coexist while maintaining appropriate distance by remodeling the existing senior center and children's playground. It also received positive reviews as a good model for crime prevention by enhancing accessibility through eliminating level differences within the park and adding natural surveillance (CPTED) functions where children, guardians, and seniors use the space together and assist each other.

'Art Children's Park' is the first project of Seocho-gu's 'Intergenerational Public Space Project' aimed at integrating all generations from children to seniors. It was remodeled last year and reborn in January this year with an area of 1,300㎡. It was initiated to achieve effects such as preventing depression and dementia in seniors and fostering community awareness in children in preparation for the ultra-aged and low birthrate era.

Here, seniors can use senior exercise equipment, a vegetable garden to feel seasonal changes, and a circular walking trail around the park. Especially, dementia prevention signboards were installed along the walking trail to help improve cognitive health. Additionally, a safe play area was provided for children to play freely.

The facilities in the park use yellow colors to give a bright and warm feeling. Also, the circular combination playground equipment combines facilities usable by all generations.

The district plans to continuously expand intergenerational public spaces. Dongsan Children's Park in Yangjae 2-dong is scheduled to be completed next month, and next year, Namtaeryeong Children's Park in Bangbae 2-dong will also be renovated to be reborn as a space enjoyed by all age groups.

The district received a certificate (Chairman Award of Seoul Metropolitan Council) and a certification plaque for this award, and the plaque will be attached to Art Children's Park.

The district has been recognized as a city leading public design among local governments nationwide, having won ▲the Presidential Award at the 2019 Korea Design Awards ▲Public Design Awards in 2018 and 2020 ▲and the Korea Land Grand Prize in 2016, 2020, and 2021.

Seocho District Mayor Jeon Seong-su said, “We will continue to expand spaces enjoyed by all generations to activate communication between generations and do our best so that everyone can enjoy a safe and happy daily life.”