Seoul to implement citywide shaded pedestrian routes to combat heat

Seoul is launching an initiative to establish a citywide network of shaded pedestrian routes to combat increasingly severe heat waves. Mayor Oh Se-hoon described the project as a “right to shaded walking,” framing shade as a fundamental municipal service rather than a luxury.

The plan aims to connect residential areas with essential locations such as subway stations, schools, markets, and hospitals using a combination of large-canopy trees, building shadows, retractable awnings, and canopies. The city will prioritize areas with high pedestrian traffic and vulnerable populations, such as older adults. The initiative will begin with pilot programs in 2026 and 2027 before a full-scale expansion across Seoul in 2028.

The move follows a surge in heat-related health issues in South Korea. Nationwide, 31 people have died from heat-related illnesses this year, surpassing the total recorded in all of last year. In Seoul, street exposure has been identified as a primary location for heat-related illnesses, with asphalt temperatures occasionally exceeding 50 degrees Celsius during extreme summer periods.