Seoul Metropolitan Government to build 3D addressing system at six traditional markets, covering more than 2,500 stalls across 200,000 square meters; location data for AEDs, gas shutoffs and electrical panels also included, along with nearby parking and vehicle access routes

Traditional markets in Seoul where 3D addressing systems will be built this year. [Seoul Metropolitan Government]
Traditional markets in Seoul where 3D addressing systems will be built this year. [Seoul Metropolitan Government]

By Shin Sang-yoon, The Herald Business

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Sunday it will expand a "3D addressing" system to traditional markets across the city, enabling navigation apps to guide visitors through narrow market alleyways and allowing faster emergency response by fire and safety services.

Last year, the city ran a pilot at nine sites around Cheongnyangni traditional market, assigning detailed addresses to individual stalls and building a 3D fire safety map to support emergency response.

Building on that pilot, the city this year is adding navigation and public safety information functions and expanding the project to six markets across Seoul.

The six markets receiving 3D addresses are Donghwa Arcade in Jung-gu, Sindobong Market in Dobong-gu, Mapo Agricultural and Marine Products Market in Mapo-gu, Bangsin Traditional Market in Gangseo-gu, Guro Market in Guro-gu, and the retail building of Garak Mall in Songpa-gu. The total area covered is 200,000 square meters, encompassing more than 2,500 stalls.

Traditional markets have long posed challenges for emergency responders because their tight alleyways and densely packed stalls make it difficult to pinpoint exact locations during fires or medical crises. To address this, the city will use high-precision spatial technologies — including GNSS and LiDAR — to capture location data in three dimensions and load it onto "S-Map," the city's 3D digital platform.

Starting this year, the system will go beyond basic navigation to include location data for automated external defibrillators (AEDs), gas shutoff valves and electrical distribution panels. The city plans to share that data with the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters to speed up on-scene response.

The city will also expand integration beyond existing Naver and Kakao Maps-based services to include T-map, broadening the system's reach across private navigation platforms. The service will also provide information on nearby parking facilities and vehicle-accessible roads to discourage drivers from forcing their way into narrow market lanes.

The city will apply a 3D addressing framework that classifies markets into three types — building-type, alleyway-type and mixed-type — and will support the design of customized address signage to help residents and delivery workers navigate complex market layouts.

Throughout the project, the city has operated a consultative body bringing together merchant associations, district offices and fire stations to incorporate feedback from users and emergency responders. Kang Ok-hyeon, director of Seoul's Digital City Bureau, said the city aims to "use digital technology to eliminate blind spots in traditional market safety."


ken@heraldcorp.com