South Korea Deploys Citywide Cooling Shelters to Combat Extreme Heat

The South Korean government has launched a comprehensive plan to protect citizens from increasingly severe heat waves by turning public spaces into a distributed cooling network. Central to the scheme is the "Happiso" air‑conditioned dome, slated for installation at 14 key sites in Seoul—including Gwanghwamun Square and Cheonggye Plaza—by the summer of 2026. Large canopies will line major pedestrian corridors, while "cooling fog" systems and automated water‑sprayed road surfaces lower surface temperatures. Bus stops and street canopies are being equipped with smart cooling units that respond to temperature and wind speed.

The program also introduces AI‑driven monitoring to identify vulnerable groups such as the elderly and semi‑basement residents, guiding social‑service teams to prioritize assistance. Each district must maintain at least one night‑time cooling shelter, and nearly 3,000 dedicated cooling centers for seniors are planned across the city, creating a dense web of climate‑resilient infrastructure.