The Seoul metropolitan government on Wednesday unveiled a large-scale urban initiative to create continuous shaded walking paths across all sidewalks of the city starting in 2028, emphasizing that extreme heat is considered a serious public safety disaster.
Under the plan, the city will shade its entire sidewalk system within the next few years to mitigate the impact of rising temperatures, especially amid increasingly severe and frequent heatwaves. The initiative is part of a broader effort by Seoul officials to protect residents from dangerous weather conditions.
Seoul's move comes as many Asian countries, including South Korea, have faced record-breaking heatwaves in recent years. The city government said expanding sidewalk shade will help pedestrians avoid direct exposure to harsh sunlight, thereby reducing the risk of heatstroke and other heat-related health issues.
The initiative is expected to make Seoul one of the leading cities in the region for climate change adaptation, with the construction of green infrastructure and both natural and artificial shielding solutions across major streets and residential areas.
