Nowon-gu Goes All Out Against Record-Breaking Heat With Expanded Facilities and Vulnerable Resident Protection

Seoul's Nowon-gu has launched a comprehensive summer heat response plan, expanding heat-relief infrastructure and strengthening protections for vulnerable residents as temperatures this summer are forecast to run above seasonal norms.

The district is pursuing its heat strategy along two tracks: expanding heat-reduction facilities and protecting vulnerable groups. This year it has committed about 700 million won ($453,000) to build out community-level heat-relief facilities while also bolstering cooling support and safety management.

The district's flagship heat-response initiative, the "Healing Refrigerator" — a network of cooling stations stocked with cold drinks and installed along riverbanks and walking paths where foot traffic is heavy — will operate at 18 locations across major trails and riverside areas from July 22 to Aug. 20.

A range of measures has also been put in place to protect heat-vulnerable groups, including the elderly and people with disabilities. With an early heat wave arriving this year, the district has designated senior centers, welfare facilities, community centers, neighborhood administrative offices, the district office lobby and local hotels as cooling shelters, bringing the total to 298 locations currently in operation. The district office café will also open on weekends from July 1 to Aug. 16 to serve as an additional shelter.

When a heat advisory is in effect, the district will also provide nighttime cooling shelters at nearby lodging establishments for vulnerable groups including residents aged 65 and older, under agreements with those businesses. The program drew strong demand last year, recording a cumulative 456 uses.

Crosswalk shade canopies that shield pedestrians from direct sunlight are also being expanded. The district has added seven permanent shade structures, bringing the total from 210 last year to 217 this year. An additional 35 aging canopies are being replaced and refurbished.

Cooling-fog systems and outdoor heat shelters are also being added. Three new cooling-fog installations are going up at Choan Mountain's hydrangea garden, Hwarangdae Railway Park and Sanggye Jungang Market, expanding the network to 10 sites across the district. Two new outdoor heat shelters called "Happyso" will open at the outdoor stage of Bulam Mountain's azalea garden and at a plaza along the Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail, with intensive operation planned from July through September.

Protections for low-income households and outdoor workers are also being tightened. Through an energy-efficiency improvement project, the district will support the installation of wall-mounted air conditioners in a total of 197 low-income households.

In addition, about 165 participants in outdoor public employment programs — including the district's companion jobs initiative — will receive personalized heat-prevention supplies such as portable fans, tumblers, UV-blocking hats and cooling arm sleeves.

Special safety inspections will also be conducted to protect outdoor workers. When a heat advisory is issued, the district will carry out on-the-spot checks at outdoor worksites including park maintenance facilities, waste collection points, water play areas and construction sites. Inspectors will verify compliance with the five basic heat-safety rules and confirm that heat-index readings are being recorded, in line with revised industrial safety and health standards enacted last year, with a focus on ensuring heat illness prevention measures are in place.

"With a record-breaking heat wave forecast this year, we are putting every effort into expanding heat-reduction facilities that residents can feel directly and into protecting our most vulnerable community members," district Mayor Oh Seung-rok said. "Building on the safety infrastructure we have developed over the years, we are confident that all residents will be able to spend this summer safely and comfortably."