The district took top honors at the 2026 Seoul Gender Equality Policy Awards on Thursday for its gender-impact assessment work
The public design project — spanning crime-prevention features, disability facilities and family amenities — earned recognition for safety and inclusivity
Gangnam-gu received the Seoul Mayor's Award on Thursday at the 2026 Seoul Gender Equality Policy Awards, co-hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Foundation of Women and Family, after its public restroom redesign project was selected as an outstanding case.
The annual awards, held since 2025, recognize policy improvements that emerge from gender-impact assessments conducted by Seoul's autonomous districts. A panel of academic and field experts evaluated submissions, ultimately selecting Gangnam-gu's Digital City Division and its "Public Restroom Safe Design Project" as the top case for 2026.
As part of the project, the district redesigned two public restrooms — one inside Dosan Park and another at Segokcheon Mulmaji Park — with both functionality and aesthetics in mind. The redesign aimed to shed the image of dark, unwelcoming public facilities and transform them into spaces where anyone can feel safe and comfortable.
The exteriors were designed to resemble standalone sculptures that complement the urban landscape. The Dosan Park restroom presents an elegant pastel-toned structure by day; at night, soft light wraps around its walls to reveal its sculptural form. The Segokcheon Mulmaji Park restroom features flowing, curved lines that evoke water and create a nature-friendly aesthetic.
The interiors incorporate a range of innovative functional elements. Safety was significantly enhanced through Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles, including warm, bright lighting, anti-hidden-camera partition panels and two-way emergency call bells. The facilities also feature family restrooms for caregivers accompanying young children or elderly visitors, dedicated toilet fixtures for colostomy and urostomy users — a first among public restrooms operated by local governments in South Korea — automatic flush systems, infection-prevention illuminated mirrors and accessibility-friendly grab bars, completing an inclusive space for all users.
The award reflects Gangnam-gu's sustained effort to incorporate gender-specific usage patterns and safety needs into district policy and public facility improvements. The district said it will continue to strengthen both functionality and design in public facility planning to ensure users' right to safety and advance substantive gender equality.
"This award is the result of our work to improve public amenities so that every resident can use them safely and comfortably," District Mayor Kim Hyun-ki said. "We will continue to introduce Gangnam-style public design centered on safety and inclusivity from multiple angles, raising the quality of life and satisfaction of our residents."
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