The “Firsts” and “Bests” of Government Innovation
The Korean Government will accredit the “Firsts” of our innovations that contributed to the public’s comfort and safety, and select the “Best” cases of government innovation to spread as examples to our many institutions.
The Best
Crosswalk Canopies (Excellent Utilization Category)
- Seocho City Office
- 2023-12-26
The ‘Seoripul Wondoomak’ (A combination of Seoripul, Seocho District’s
namesake, and Wondoomak, a Korean hut or gazebo of sorts), installed by the Seocho
District, appeared in 2015 as Korea’s first heat-wave-fighting cover, and has
been praised as the best in the field of shade canopies. The shade canopy is now a popular
summertime facility that can be commonly seen around the nation. |
Content √ Accomplishments and expansion |
■ The Seoripul Wondoomak, an Oasis in the Scorching City.
The ‘Seoripul Wondoomak’,
leading the popularity of shade canopies across the country, is a fixed shade
canopy that began from a small act of consideration: Let’s provide shade for
people waiting to cross the road under scorching sunlight.
After installing shade canopies at the
Yangjae station intersection and the St. Mary’s Hospital intersection for the
first time in the nation in June 2015, the Seocho District of Seoul has
continuously improved the UV-blocking capabilities, safety and design of the ‘Seoripul Wondoomak’.
[Left] The initial installation of the Seoripul Wondoomak, the original
crosswalk canopy ⓒ
Seocho District, Seoul, [Right] A
Tent-type canopy installed in Dongjak District, Seoul ⓒ Dongjak District, Seoul
Following
explosive reactions from citizens, the Seoripul Wondoomak has not only been installed at
key street corners of road crossings and traffic islands, but has also expanded
to parks and cultural facilities, totaling 222 install locations all over
Seocho District (as of April 2023).
From its first installation, the Seoripul Wondoomak was met with rave
reactions from citizens. “It’s a great idea, a shelter to not only avoid the
sun, but also provide a moment of rest!”. “We’re thankful for being able to
avoid the heat at road-crossings, even for the briefest moment.”. Countless
compliments and words of support followed.
Seocho District,
with its particular affection and pride for their Seoripul Wondoomaks, continued with various
efforts to transform the canopy into a more convenient and useful facility.
During springtime and fall, the canopies were decorated with seasonal flowers
to enhance the beauty of the city streets, and when the canopies were folded
for the winter, their designs were reformed as Christmas trees (Seoripul Trees), forming a holiday season
atmosphere.
The ‘Seoripul Wondoomak’ enhanced canopy utility
through various transformations ⓒ
Seocho District
Furthermore, rest benches were installed
beneath canopies for the transportation-vulnerable, and the regional government
distributed ice water to citizens at the canopies on days of high heat wave
indexes, with the help of volunteers. On the 30th anniversary week
for the opening of the Seocho District Office, regional musicians held ‘Flowerbed
Concerts’ visiting the 40+ canopies in the district, transforming the Seoripul
Wondoomaks into cultural and artistic spaces to connect and enjoy with the
public.
In the beginning years of its enterprise,
the Seoripul Wondoomak
faced controversy
regarding its compatibility with road legislation.
However, with strong support from citizens
and positive feedback from public design specialists, the Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) accepted the ‘Fixed Parasol-type Canopy’ (only
the Seocho District canopy case) as an official ‘road facility’ in accordance with road legislation.
The City of Seoul created a “Canopy
Installation Guideline” in December of 2017, and distributed it to each
regional district. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety, modelling after the
Seoripul Wondoomak,
released the ‘Guidelines on Installation and Management of Canopies in
preparation of Heatwaves’ in April 2019, standardizing canopy installation
standards and providing regional governments a basis to systemically manage
canopies.
Each regional
government’s canopy, benchmarking off the Seoripul Wondoomak, has continued to develop and
innovate. The Buk (North) District in Busan selected ideal locations to install
the canopies utilizing big data, and installed canopies not only capable of
providing cover from sunlight, but also equipped with upgraded functions such
as cooling fogs. Cheonan City in the South Chungcheong Province operates
canopies based on the needs of each location, installing yellow canopies in
school zones that match the color of the yellow roads to maximize their visual
impact, or adding a double-function of circular resting benches to canopies
installed in areas where there are more senior citizens.
In the case of the Jung (Center) District
of Daejeon, the selection of installation locations took the public’s opinions
into consideration, and ‘smart’ canopies capable of sensing wind speeds,
temperature, and sunlight were installed to enable efficient management. In
Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, night time security lights were added to smart
canopies, allowing safer streets for the public after sundown. Pohang of the
North Gyeongsang Province, utilized the canopies as locations to promote
regional tourist attractions, setting canopy locations as ‘experience zones’
for the “Twelve Must-see Views of Pohang”.
The various shade canopies operated by regional
governments. ⓒ Jung District of
Daejeon (Left), Cheonan (Center), Buk District in Pohang (Right)
The Seoripul Wondoomak, the origin, and now standard of Korea’s shade canopies, has expanded to a public design that embodies rest and safety, and can be found in every corner of the nation.