The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to create shaded walking routes across the city to protect residents from increasingly severe summer heat, Mayor Oh Se-hoon said Wednesday.
“Shade should no longer be a convenience available only in certain places, but a basic urban service that protects citizens’ health and daily lives,” Oh said at City Hall as he announced the initiative, which he dubbed the “right to shaded walking.”
“We will test and evaluate the initiative through pilot projects in 2026 and 2027 before expanding it across Seoul from 2028.”
The city came up with the project as heat-related illnesses have become an increasing concern each summer.
Of the 815 heat-related illness cases recorded in Seoul between 2023 and 2025, 31.4 percent occurred on streets, the largest share among all locations, according to the city.
During periods of extreme summer heat, air temperatures have climbed to as high as 40 degrees Celsius, while asphalt surface temperatures have exceeded 50 C across the city.
The city will first identify areas where shade is most needed by considering factors such as sunlight exposure, pedestrian traffic, use by older adults and other heat-vulnerable groups, outdoor waiting times, and feasibility.
Trees will be prioritized where planting is possible.
Seasonal shade, canopies, awnings and small shelters will be used on narrow sidewalks or above underground infrastructure where trees cannot be planted.
For buildings, the city will incorporate shade-related considerations into architectural review standards and encourage participation through incentives.
Kim Chang-gyu, an official with the city’s Urban Space Headquarters, pointed to Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Phoenix, Arizona, as examples of cities that have introduced policies to provide more shade for pedestrians.
“Although Korea has four distinct seasons, unlike cities where extreme heat is a year-round concern, summer heat has become so severe in Seoul that we have no choice but to prepare specifically for the summer months,” Kim said.
“We will select 10 pilot sites in September this year and create shaded walking routes tailored to each area next year. The results will then be incorporated into future urban planning standards.”
yunapark@heraldcorp.com