Shelter network expanded to libraries and financial institutions; low-income elderly residents can stay up to 10 nights at partner hotels during heat waves. New shade structures and cooling fog systems to be added across the district, including at Cheong Wa Dae's banquet hall fountain plaza.
Jongno-gu has designated 114 locations — including the district office, libraries, senior centers and financial institutions — as "heat relief shelters" through Sept. 30, giving residents a place to cool down at any time during the summer heat.
This year, the district extended operating hours at community center shelters until 10 p.m. and added hotel accommodation vouchers for elderly residents in vulnerable housing to help close gaps in the safety net. Nine district public libraries have also been newly added to the shelter network to improve accessibility.
The shelters are spread across residents' daily routes and include the Jongno district office, 17 community centers, 45 senior centers, five welfare centers and 32 financial institutions. Two rooming-house counseling centers and three mobile worker rest facilities round out the network, with a focus on protecting those most exposed to extreme heat.
Community center shelters activate when a heat wave advisory or higher alert is issued, opening weekdays from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on weekends and public holidays from noon to 6 p.m.
During July and August, when heat-related harm is most likely, the district will run a "heat wave safe accommodation" program for low-income elderly households in precarious housing. When an alert is issued, the district will provide hotel vouchers through partner hotels — Dongnimmun Hotel and Dongdaemun Hotel — so that elderly residents living in rooming houses, rooftop rooms or study-room lodgings can spend a comfortable night in an air-conditioned room. Each person may use the program for up to 10 nights.
Jongno-gu is also expanding its heat-reduction infrastructure. The district currently operates shade canopies at 79 locations so pedestrians can escape direct sunlight while waiting at traffic signals, with 24 more installations planned. Cooling fog systems — which spray a fine water mist — will be added this year at the fountain plaza of Cheong Wa Dae's banquet hall, following last year's installation at Marronnier Park.
"Record heat waves are threatening daily life every year, so we have made sure our heat relief shelters, safe accommodation and heat-reduction facilities leave no gaps," district mayor Jung Mun-heon said. "We will keep a close eye on conditions on the ground so that every resident can get through this summer safely and without incident."
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