Mapo-gu Ensures All Pedestrian Paths Are Accessible Without Obstacles for Wheelchairs and Strollers

Selected 135 Crosswalks Needing Maintenance from Full Survey... Sequential Improvements by December
Continuous Pedestrian Path Enhancements via On-site District Office and 365 Citizen Communication Phone
Park Gang-su, Mapo District Mayor: "Walkable Paths Must Also Accommodate Wheelchairs and Strollers"

Mapo-gu (Mayor Park Gang-su) has rolled up its sleeves to ensure the walking rights of users of walking aids such as wheelchairs and strollers.

The walking rights of vulnerable pedestrians are essential rights that must be guaranteed for autonomous living and social participation. However, small curbs and cracks on sidewalks that are easy to walk over often become major obstacles for users of walking aids.

Accordingly, Mapo-gu plans to survey and maintain all sidewalks in the area to facilitate the smooth use of walking aids and create a pedestrian-centered safe road environment.

First, in May, as a matter directly related to the safety of vulnerable pedestrians, a full survey was conducted on 410 crosswalks across all 16 neighborhoods of Mapo-gu, and 135 sections requiring urgent improvement such as curb lowering were selected.

The selected crosswalks will be sequentially maintained starting with sections frequently used by vulnerable pedestrians such as the elderly, disabled, and pregnant women, and Mapo-gu plans to complete all construction on the selected crosswalks by December.

Improvements to general pedestrian paths are also underway. Mapo-gu has already renovated public parking lots that threatened pedestrian safety on Hongdae Red Road, and in December last year, widened the narrow pedestrian path along World Cupcheon-ro to a maximum of 8 meters, creating Metasequoia Road and installing ramps to allow wheelchairs to pass, receiving great public approval.

Along with this, since the start of the 8th local government term, 209 sections of sidewalks with inconvenient paving blocks have been completely repaved.

Mapo-gu plans to continuously identify pedestrian paths in need of maintenance through on-site mayor’s offices and other channels, and will listen carefully to residents’ voices received through various complaint channels including the ‘365 Resident Communication Phone’ to create a walking environment where everyone can feel safe.

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, “I believe that the use of walking aids such as wheelchairs and strollers should be taken for granted on walkable paths,” and added, “Mapo-gu will do its utmost to create an environment where all residents, including the elderly, disabled, and children, can walk safely and comfortably.”