"Taxes Well Spent"... Mapo District's Resident-Centered Administration Draws Attention

Policies Closely Tied to Daily Life: Pedestrian Environment, Welfare, and Culture
"Implementing Administration Where Taxes Are Returned as Value in People's Lives"

On January 12, Mapo District Office in Seoul (headed by Mayor Park Kangsoo) announced that it has been focusing its budget on areas directly connected to residents' daily lives, thereby increasing administrative trust. The district stated that its strategy of prioritizing small changes in everyday life is receiving positive feedback from residents.

In August last year, the 'Mom and Dad Movie Plaza' was held at the Community Square in front of Mapo District Office. Provided by Mapo District Office.

The 'Mapo 365 Community Center', which opened last November, is a prime example. The center is a multi-purpose cultural and sports facility equipped with a fitness center, sauna, cultural programs, and a rooftop observatory. In particular, the sauna is available to residents at an affordable price of 5,000 to 6,000 won, attracting 16,339 visitors by the end of last year.

Choi Misoon, a resident of Hapjeong-dong, said, "After COVID-19, local public bathhouses disappeared, which was inconvenient. But this place has great facilities and is affordable, so I come more than once a month. Now, I don’t feel bad about spending money here."

The 'Mapo-Style Study Cafe Space' for students costs only 500 won for all-day use. The 'Resident Participation Filial Piety Meal' for seniors aged 75 and older provides lunch, health check-ups, legal and tax consultations, and welfare services in a one-stop system. Food ingredients are supplied through sponsorships from residents, businesses, and organizations, ensuring financial efficiency.

Programs for families are also popular. The 'Mom and Dad Series' offers seasonal programs such as camping, water parks, ice rinks, and movie plazas either free of charge or at low cost. The 'Mom and Dad Movie Plaza', which utilizes the media canvas on the exterior wall of the district office, screened eight animated films for free, with about 200 participants per session.

An elderly couple from Seongsan-dong who watched a movie with their granddaughter said, "We have lived in this neighborhood for a long time, but this is the first time we’ve seen such changes in front of the district office. These days, we feel our taxes are well spent."

The 'Filial Piety School', which features prominent figures such as Dr. Oh Eunyoung, has become a space for intergenerational communication, covering topics such as psychology, inheritance, family relationships, and health.

Improvements to the pedestrian environment are also noteworthy. So far, 247 locations have been upgraded to create barrier-free environments by eliminating steps, lowering curbs, and installing anti-slip ramps. The district expanded the scope of these improvements to side streets, transforming car-centered alleyways into pedestrian-priority spaces.

Nightscape lighting was installed on Donggyo-dong 51-gil in Yeonnam-dong, and murals were created on Kkirikkiri 5-gil in collaboration with students from Hongik Design High School. In Mangwon-dong, the Bangwollae Underpass was opened to improve access to the Han River, and solar-powered LED markers and murals were installed along the 600-meter alleyway leading to Mangwon Market.

Seongsan Stream and World Cup Stream were renovated with new walking and cycling paths and planted with wildflowers to create rest areas for residents. A large mural, 90 meters long and 3 meters high, was painted under Jungri Stream Bridge.

Park Kangsoo, Mayor of Mapo District, stated, "Through various policies closely tied to daily life, we will ensure that all residents can enjoy a safe and comfortable everyday life. We will implement administration where taxes are returned as value in people’s lives."

Hyo Communication Class of the 5th session of Mapo Filial Piety School held last November at the auditorium of Mapo District Office. Provided by Mapo District Office.