Oh Sehoon: "Expand Benches Throughout Seoul" in Preparation for an Aging Society

"Benches Still in Short Supply," Mayor Says at Oct. 20 Meeting
"Must Reflect Site Conditions and User Needs"
Fun Design Expands Everyday Rest Areas
"Five-Minute Shaded Rest Areas" in Alleys... Even on Narrow Streets

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon has instructed officials to expand benches and rest areas throughout Seoul in preparation for an aging society. Following the Seoul Declaration on the Right to Walk in the Shade in August, the city announced a pilot project to build shade and rest infrastructure along neighborhood streets and began redesigning pedestrian rest areas.

At a meeting with senior officials on October 20, Mayor Oh received a report that Seoul's benches, shade structures and other rest facilities were winning overseas design awards. He then called for action, saying, "There are still not enough benches where citizens can comfortably rest."

A view of Haneulhaneul, a rest area at Boramae Park. Seoul Metropolitan Government

He also called for the city to combine its Fun Design initiative, which adds playful and design elements to public facilities, with its Seoul Without Loneliness policy. He urged officials to create spaces where residents can naturally meet and connect, rather than facilities that simply provide a place to sit and rest.

Seoul is pursuing Fun Design by adding creative forms and colors, as well as new user experiences, to everyday facilities such as benches and shade structures. The policy aims to let citizens enjoy design and experience the city's appeal while relaxing in nearby parks and plazas.

In 2021, the city installed the "Gureumak" shade structure at Yeouido Hangang Park. In 2022-2023, it developed "Soul Drops" benches and installed a total of 107 at Open Songhyeon Green Plaza and Yeouido Hangang Park. Soul Drops received awards in the Product Design discipline of the 2023 iF Design Award and the Brands & Communication Design category of the Red Dot Design Award. The city has also diversified bench designs so they can be selected to suit each location. In 2024, it unveiled 27 models across eight bench types that can be customized in color and size.

Fun Design, which began in public spaces, is also spreading to private residential areas. In October 2024, Seoul signed a business agreement with Hyundai Engineering & Construction, establishing a framework for cooperation to introduce Fun Design facilities at 13 housing development sites across Seoul by 2029, starting with Olympic Park Foreon.

The city has also introduced outdoor rest areas where people can enjoy both relaxation and play. Following "Haneulhaneul" at Ttukseom Hangang Park in 2024, "Handeulhandeul," unveiled at Seoul Plaza in 2025, was designed so people can enjoy the surrounding scenery while lying down or relaxing on gently rotating structures. It won an award at the 2026 Red Dot Design Award.

Seoul is expanding rest areas not only in parks and plazas, but also in alleys and on slopes that citizens use every day. After issuing the Seoul Declaration on the Right to Walk in the Shade in August this year, the city announced a pilot project in September to build shade and rest infrastructure along neighborhood streets. The goal is to create "Rest Stepping Stones," where older adults and other pedestrians with limited mobility can briefly sit or lean for a rest at intervals of no more than a five-minute walk while traveling from home to local community hubs.

Based on this plan, the city will first assess routes frequently used by pedestrians with limited mobility, including access roads and slopes leading to subway stations, bus stops, markets, hospitals and welfare facilities. It plans to create a pilot network of five-minute walking rest areas on at least 10 routes by June 2027. The city will also identify leftover spaces, such as roadside corners and areas around on-street parking lots, as potential rest area sites. Plans include combining seating and shade structures with existing facilities such as street trees and flower beds, and using pedestrian-priority streets where space is difficult to secure.

Mayor Oh said, "A city's character is shaped not only by grand buildings, but also by the design of a single bench or rest area that citizens encounter every day." He added, "Please work closely with district offices to expand the availability of benches throughout Seoul and carefully ensure that this improves both citizens' convenience and the city's character."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.