Seoul to cover all sidewalks with shade by 2028 to combat heat waves

The Seoul metropolitan government has announced a comprehensive urban initiative to ensure all city sidewalks are covered with shade by 2028, in response to increasingly severe heat waves. Mayor Oh Se-hoon described extreme heat as a critical public safety disaster and emphasized the need to protect citizens' lives and safety.

The plan involves a three-step strategy: identifying vulnerable areas, implementing tailored shade solutions, and connecting walking routes. These solutions will include planting additional trees and installing seasonal awnings, canopies, and small shelters. The goal is to create continuous shaded paths linking residential areas to essential public facilities such as subway stations, schools, markets, and hospitals.

According to data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, a significant portion of heat-related illnesses reported in Seoul between 2023 and 2025 occurred on streets. The initiative aims to elevate shaded paths from mere convenience facilities to a basic urban service.

A pilot program is set to commence on 10 streets with high pedestrian traffic, running through 2027. Following an evaluation of this pilot phase, the city plans to expand the shaded pedestrian network across Seoul starting in 2028.