Operation of On-site Architectural Civil Petition Support Center
Architect On-site Consulting for Remodeling and Administrative Procedures
Gangnam-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong) announced on the 1st that from this month, it will operate a “Visiting Architectural Civil Complaints Support Center” that provides consultations on remodeling and administrative procedures to install elevators and ramps in old buildings without elevators.
This project is a new initiative in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Gangnam-gu’s establishment, aimed at preparing for the next 100 years and a senior population of 10 million. In response to the advent of a super-aged society and the practice of carbon neutrality due to the climate crisis, it recognizes the need for buildings that are convenient for the elderly while improving energy performance, and is conducting consulting for the first time nationwide.
In Gangnam-gu, there are 13,045 old buildings over 15 years old without elevators (7,846 residential buildings and 5,484 general buildings). While there were no issues at the time of moving in, residents are now experiencing difficulties using stairs due to aging.
Although there are cases where elevator or ramp installation is necessary, most people do not know what procedures to follow to install them.
To resolve this issue, the district expanded the consultation function of the existing “Architectural Civil Complaints Support Center,” which previously handled civil complaints at construction sites. The center, composed of 32 advisory members including 15 architects, will be expanded from this month to operate as a visiting support center with one architect visiting each neighborhood to provide convenient consultations for residents.
Buildings over 15 years old can be extended within one-tenth of the total floor area of the existing building through review by the architectural committee, provided that no excessive disadvantage is caused to the surrounding land and buildings, according to Article 6 of the Building Act.
Additionally, according to Article 119 of the Enforcement Decree of the Building Act, elevators for the disabled can be installed regardless of building area and floor area. Based on these legal grounds, architects will visit sites directly to check whether elevator and ramp installation is possible and provide practical consultations.
Furthermore, the center supports reducing greenhouse gas emissions from 13,330 old buildings over 20 years old. It provides solutions linked to the “Old House Green Building Creation Support Project,” which supports up to 20 million KRW per household for construction costs related to windows, insulation, and facilities in old houses. The district plans to actively promote this by sending notices to all buildings subject to remodeling.
The “Visiting Architectural Civil Complaints Support Center” will have architects rotate through 10 community centers during the second and third weeks of each month. Consultation hours are from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM, and inquiries can be made by contacting the Architectural Civil Complaints Support Center.
District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong stated, “We have expanded the functions of the existing organization to practically resolve residents’ inconveniences,” and added, “We will actively guide ways to install elevators in old houses to create a comfortable living environment for both the elderly and caregiving families.”
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