Twelve public facilities in Mapo-gu that primarily serve children, elderly residents and people with disabilities are set to become more comfortable this summer through rooftop heat-reflective paint application, the district announced.
Heat-reflective paint is a functional coating that reflects sunlight to reduce heat entering a building. Applied to rooftops, it lowers indoor temperatures and cuts air-conditioning energy consumption.
A pilot evaluation by the Seoul Metropolitan Government at Seoul Housing & Communities Corporation (SH) apartment complexes found that after the paint was applied, rooftop surface temperatures dropped by up to 9.2 degrees Celsius and indoor temperatures fell by about 1.8 degrees Celsius, while summer cooling energy consumption decreased by an average of 26.4 percent.
Mapo-gu applied to the city's public facility heat-reflective paint support project and nominated 12 local public facilities primarily used by vulnerable groups — all 12 were selected.
The selected facilities include two heat-relief cooling shelters — the Mangwon 1-dong Community Service Center and the Mapo Comprehensive Welfare Center for People with Disabilities — along with three public daycare centers: Yeonnam Daycare Center, Yonggang Daycare Center and Seogang Daycare Center.
Seven senior centers were also included: Gongdeok 1-dong Senior Center, Keundeok Senior Center, Daeheung Jungang Senior Center, Hapjeong Senior Center, Mangwon 2-dong 1 Senior Center, Yeondong Senior Center and Saetter Senior Center.
A contractor selected by the Seoul Metropolitan Government will carry out the work sequentially from August, following on-site measurements. Waterproof paint coating will also be provided where site conditions require it.
From September through October, after the work is completed, the district will survey user satisfaction and compare indoor temperatures and electricity bills before and after application to verify the project's effectiveness.
Mapo-gu District Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun said he hoped the project would help residents most vulnerable to extreme heat enjoy a comfortable and safe summer. "We will continue to actively identify and connect various support programs offered by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and other relevant agencies to expand projects that provide real, tangible benefits to our residents," he said.
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