Nowon-gu Fully Prepares Measures Against Heatwave

Operation of Outdoor Heat Relief Shelters and Installation of Healing Refrigerators at 14 Locations Including Walking Trails and Riverside
Use of 30 Hotel Rooms as Night Shelters for Seniors During Heatwave Alerts
Protection Measures for Heat-Vulnerable Groups Such as Seniors and Disabled Implemented and Operated
Operation of Public Convenience Facilities for Heatwave Preparedness Including Shade Tents and Cooling Fog Systems

Nowon-gu, Seoul (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that it will fully implement practical heatwave countermeasures to ensure residents have a safe and healthy summer.

With this summer expected to have higher temperatures than last year, the district has prepared a ‘4 Major Heatwave Comprehensive Measures’ plan to prevent various disasters and safety accidents caused by the summer heat.

The 2024 Nowon-style heatwave measures will be implemented across four main areas: ▲Operation of healing refrigerators on outdoor walking trails and other locations ▲Operation of general and nighttime heat shelters ▲Protection measures for heatwave-vulnerable groups ▲Convenience measures for residents.

Operation of Healing Refrigerators on Outdoor Walking Trails and Other Locations

The healing refrigerator is the most representative project among the district’s heatwave countermeasures. First introduced by Nowon-gu in 2020, the healing refrigerator is still being benchmarked by local governments nationwide. It operates from July to August, when the heatwave is most severe.

To prevent heat-related illnesses that may occur during outdoor activities, refrigerators will be placed at outdoor heat shelters such as walking trails and riversides to provide residents with cool bottled water. The refrigerators will be installed at 14 locations, including seven walking trails such as Bulamsan Butterfly Garden, Yeongchuksan Circular Walking Trail, and Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail, as well as seven riverside spots including Jungnangcheon and Danghyeoncheon.

Last year, more than 1.95 million bottles of water were supplied over 35 days at 15 locations including riversides and walking trails, averaging over 60,000 bottles per day.

Designation and Operation of General and Nighttime Heat Shelters

Heat shelters are a key heatwave countermeasure aimed at protecting elderly residents vulnerable to heat.

With the early onset of heatwaves this year, the district has been operating heat shelters since June 1. A total of 277 locations are currently in operation, including senior centers, welfare centers, community service centers, the district office lobby, and local hotels. During heatwave warnings, some heat shelters extend their hours to operate as extended shelters, and nighttime shelters are additionally opened.

When a heatwave warning is issued, 30 hotel rooms contracted by the district operate as nighttime shelters. These operate from July to August, Monday through Thursday (excluding holidays), targeting vulnerable elderly residents aged 65 and older living in small rooms without air conditioning, basements, or goshiwons.

Last year, 12,580 people used the general and extended heat shelters, and during the heatwave warning period, a total of 580 people including basic livelihood security recipients and vulnerable elderly living alone visited the nighttime shelters.

This year, the district additionally designated the Surak Nowon Comprehensive Welfare Center as a heat shelter, which is expected to make it easier for elderly residents in the Surak area to use heat shelters.

Protection Measures for Heatwave-Vulnerable Groups such as Elderly and Disabled

The district’s protection measures for heatwave-vulnerable groups are tailored as needed for various residents including low-income crisis households, elderly living alone, and outdoor workers.

First, the ‘Ddok Ddok Ddok Care Team,’ which has played a role as a welfare safety net by identifying welfare blind spots, will reach out to vulnerable groups during the summer. Through regular visits, they conduct focused welfare checks and connect residents to various services for heatwave-vulnerable groups such as nighttime heat shelters and energy voucher support. Last year, the Ddok Ddok Ddok Care Team supported 7,625 vulnerable individuals including elderly, disabled, and middle-aged residents.

Visiting health management for the elderly and elderly living alone is also promoted. For about 2,900 households targeted by the visiting health management program, including elderly living alone, those aged 75 and older, disabled persons, and chronic patients, the district disseminates disaster information during heatwave warnings and operates a special management system that includes daily phone checks and guidance to evacuation facilities depending on the environment.

Public job safety management measures are also implemented. Outdoor workers who work long hours are provided with cool sleeves, UV protection hats, mini fans, etc., and when a heatwave alert is issued, outdoor work is suspended and switched to indoor work to adjust working conditions.

Convenience Measures for Residents

Shade shelters are installed and operated so that pedestrians can avoid the hot sun while waiting for traffic signals. This year, 28 additional shelters were installed, bringing the total to 170 locations at major crosswalks and traffic islands with high foot traffic. Healing chairs attached to the shade shelters have also been newly installed at 5 locations, totaling 79. Notably, this year, 4 new smart shade shelters that automatically open and close in response to the surrounding environment based on Internet of Things (IoT) and solar power technology will be installed.

Cooling fog systems are also operated to help relieve the heat. Using water molecule evaporation, the cooling fog lowers the surrounding temperature by 2 to 5°C without wetting clothes or skin. Currently, cooling fog is operating at four locations: Jongdalse Children’s Park, Dandelion Children’s Park, Hannae Neighborhood Park, and Seokgye Station Cultural Park.

In addition, to reduce the heat island effect, six street watering vehicles are deployed to conduct watering operations twice daily on 12 major roads and six zones within the district. Heatwave preparedness tips are also provided through social media and other channels.

Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon-gu, said, “We are preparing in various ways to ensure that vulnerable groups such as elderly living alone do not suffer damage from the long and intense heatwave this summer.” He added, “We ask residents to refrain from outdoor activities when heatwave warnings are issued and to pay attention to their health by practicing heatwave preparedness guidelines in daily life.”