“That Alley with Many Female Students Is Now Safer”… Customized Crime Prevention Urban Design in Cheongpa-dong

Yongsan District and Sookmyung Women's University Collaborate on Crime Prevention
Achieving Enhanced Safety for Single-Person Female Households

On July 3, Yongsan District in Seoul announced that it had successfully completed the “Cheongpa-dong Area Customized Crime Prevention Urban Environment Design Project,” which was carried out in the area near Sookmyung Women's University in Cheongpa-dong.

This project was characterized by comprehensive improvements to the spatial environment and the application of advanced technology-based crime prevention design solutions, taking into account the area's high proportion of single-person female households.

Safe community space 'Bandi' created. Provided by Yongsan-gu.

In particular, the project is being recognized as a model case for deriving area-specific design solutions through collaboration between the local government and the Department of Environmental Design at Sookmyung Women's University.

The Cheongpa-dong area had six structural vulnerabilities: a community structure that makes it difficult to get help in emergencies; an ineffective voluntary crime prevention system; a deteriorated image that contrasts with the surrounding area; challenges for single-person female households in choosing safe housing; alleys dominated by slopes and stairs that hinder visibility; and privacy invasion and exposure to crime due to insufficient spacing between buildings.

In response, the district conducted resident surveys and interviews, joint patrols with the police, and collaborative projects with Sookmyung Women's University to thoroughly diagnose the problems and develop spatial improvement plans that reflect local needs and characteristics.

The main components of the project focused on six crime prevention design measures: the creation of the safe community space “Bandi,” installation of illuminated patrol zone signboards, establishment of a shutter gallery, illuminated lodging information signs, creation of a safe pedestrian environment, and the introduction of “smart window” technology.

Specifically, the district remodeled the existing voluntary crime prevention post and Saemaeul Council container to create “Bandi,” a multi-purpose safety hub that combines an automated pay-as-you-throw bag vending machine, a safe transaction zone, and a community rest area. In addition, illuminated patrol zone signboards and a shutter gallery featuring illustrations by Sookmyung Women's University students were installed, enhancing both the visual crime prevention effect and the streetscape.

Furthermore, lodging and boarding information boards were upgraded with illuminated signs, and blind spots and sloped areas were equipped with mirrors and illuminated safety handles to strengthen pedestrian safety.

Improvement of blind spots and sloped areas. Provided by Yongsan District.

The core of this project was the nation’s first pilot introduction of “smart window” technology, which allows users to adjust transparency at the push of a button. This technology is expected to provide both privacy protection and crime prevention benefits.

Park Heeyoung, Mayor of Yongsan District, stated, “This project achieved results that surpassed previous limitations through a new attempt at technology-driven crime prevention design. Collaboration with Sookmyung Women's University students was instrumental in deriving customized solutions that reflect the area's unique characteristics.”

Mayor Park also said, “We will continue to actively expand public-private-academic cooperation and technology-based design. The ongoing ‘Hangangno-dong Crime Prevention Urban Environment Design Project’ will also be completed without delay within the second half of the year.”