Universal Design Projects for the Transportation-Vulnerable to Be Implemented in Icheon, Siheung, and Guri

Gyeonggi Province will implement universal design projects for transportation-vulnerable groups in three locations this year: Icheon, Siheung, and Guri.

Universal design refers to urban spaces and environmental designs that are created to be safe and convenient for everyone to use, regardless of nationality, gender, age, or disability status.

This year's major projects include: creating a safe school route at Sinhwa Elementary School in Icheon; establishing a universal design space at the Agricultural Technology Center in Siheung; and improving both the interior and exterior access areas of the Integrated Civil Service Office and Administrative Welfare Center in Guri. Gyeonggi Province will provide a total of 1.5 billion won in support to the selected locations.

Universal design completion sites promoted by Gyeonggi Province. From the top left clockwise: Gwacheon City, Anyang City, Paju City, Guri City, Guri City, Yangju City

Previously, since 2014, Gyeonggi Province has promoted universal design projects in a total of 43 locations through city and county competitions. Since 2023, the province has been focusing on environmental improvements for transportation-vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and people with disabilities, implementing "universal design projects for the transportation-vulnerable" in a total of 15 locations.

To expand the application of universal design in public institutions within the province, Gyeonggi Province supports consulting services from a universal design advisory group composed of experts from various fields. In addition, to foster public consensus and provide reference materials for related work, the province has produced an e-book titled "Gyeonggi Province Universal Design Casebook," which has been posted on the Design Gyeonggi website.

Kang Gilsun, Director of Architectural Policy at Gyeonggi Province, stated, "With changes in the social environment, the importance of creating spaces that are safe and convenient for everyone is growing," adding, "We will continue to pursue policies that improve the quality of life for residents through the spread of universal design."