The Seoul Metropolitan Government will expand the installation of heatwave mitigation facilities throughout residential areas this summer to prepare for extreme heat. Key examples include the 'Cooling Fog,' which lowers the surrounding temperature with mist, and the 'Cooling Road,' which reduces road surface temperatures. In particular, outdoor cooling shelters using air domes, called 'HappySo,' as well as new 'Sunshade Canopies,' will be newly introduced.
On May 28, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it will fully implement its 'Comprehensive Heatwave Countermeasures' for five months until September 30, 2026, to alleviate the urban heat island effect and minimize heatwave damage.
A Place to Escape the Sun: 'HappySo'
First, new outdoor cooling shelters using air domes, called 'HappySo' (Happy+所), will be installed at 14 major outdoor relaxation spots with high foot traffic, such as Gwanghwamun Square and Cheonggye Plaza. 'HappySo' is a Seoul-style outdoor heat shelter (heatwave reduction facility) that means 'a place to escape the sun.'
"Reducing Sun-Exposed Streets"... New Sunshade Canopies Introduced
More shaded areas will be installed for pedestrians. The city will newly install 'Sunshade Canopies' in 35 heat-vulnerable areas with heavy foot traffic but insufficient shade, such as Cheonggyecheon and Ttukseom. Canopy-type structures will be installed along walkways to block direct sunlight. In addition, 304 new 'Design Shade Canopies' (fixed and smart types) will be installed along roadsides this year, and 413 aged or damaged canopies will be replaced, bringing the total to approximately 5,000 canopies in operation.
"Even Outdoors, Seoul Feels Cool"... Cooling Fog to Lower Temperatures
The 'Cooling Fog' system, which sprays mist to lower the surrounding temperature, will be added at 48 more locations, expanding to a total of 235 sites. Installations will focus on areas with high pedestrian traffic, such as plazas, parks, and walkways.
Up to 8 Times Daily: Cooling 2,163 km of Seoul's Roads
'Water cleaning of roads,' which is highly effective in mitigating the heat island effect, will be carried out up to 8 times a day during heatwave advisories. A total of 199 water cleaning vehicles will be deployed to cover 2,163 km of main and general roads, with road cleaning conducted 1 to 2 times per day during the hottest period (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.).
Reflecting Sunlight to Cut Cooling Costs
The 'Cool Roof' initiative, which applies solar-reflective paint to building rooftops to reduce indoor temperature rise, will be expanded to 204 locations. This will include old houses, welfare facilities for the elderly and disabled, and other facilities used by vulnerable groups, helping to reduce cooling costs and save energy.
'How to Avoid the Sun'... 4,078 Shelters in Operation
The main heatwave shelters, known as 'heat shelters,' will be operated at a total of 4,078 locations. These shelters will be designated mainly at accessible neighborhood facilities such as community centers, district offices, and municipal youth centers, so that anyone, including vulnerable groups, can escape the heat.
To ensure effective operation of the heat shelters, Seoul will form 'district-specific daily inspection teams' in cooperation with all 25 districts. During heatwave advisories, these teams will check by phone and on-site visits to ensure shelters are open and operating at the appropriate hours, and will manage the shelters so citizens can use them without inconvenience. The city will also implement a response system according to each crisis stage to minimize heatwave damage. During the 'Attention' stage (normal times), the Situation Management Task Force will monitor risk signs. When a heatwave advisory or warning is issued ('Caution/Alert' stages), 'Comprehensive Heatwave Support Situation Rooms' will be operated by both the Seoul Metropolitan Government and each district, maintaining a response system. At the 'Severe' stage, the 'Heatwave Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters' will be activated for an all-out response.
Han Byungyong, Director General of the Disaster and Safety Office at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, said, "In preparation for the possibility of record-breaking heat this summer, we will expand heatwave mitigation facilities that citizens can experience in their daily lives throughout residential areas. We will strengthen on-site measures to lower urban heat, such as HappySo, Cooling Fog, Sunshade Canopies, road water cleaning, and Cooling Roads, while also thoroughly operating protection systems for vulnerable groups."
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