Suwon Special City Installs Convenience Chairs Under Shade Canopies as Heat Refuges in Urban Areas

Suwon Special City (Mayor Lee Jae-jun) has pilot-installed convenience chairs under 5 shade canopies at crosswalks in the vicinity of City Hall Station Street, allowing elderly citizens, people with disabilities, and other mobility-disadvantaged individuals to sit and rest while waiting for pedestrian signals.

The convenience chairs under the shade canopies are installed at the bottom of the canopies so that the elderly, pregnant women, children, people with disabilities, and others can sit and take a brief rest while waiting for pedestrian signals.

The City Hall Station Street area was selected as the pilot project site due to its high foot traffic and long pedestrian signal waiting times. Fixed pole-type chairs were installed taking into account pedestrian conditions and waiting space characteristics.

Suwon City plans to conduct on-site monitoring in cooperation with the Center for Technology Support for Mobility Facilities for the Mobility-Disadvantaged, and will gather user satisfaction feedback and citizen opinions.

Based on the results of the pilot operation, the city plans to expand installations in phases starting from 2027, taking into account foot traffic among mobility-disadvantaged individuals and pedestrian waiting times.

A Suwon City official stated, "Even a short time waiting for a pedestrian signal can be challenging for elderly citizens and people with disabilities and other mobility-disadvantaged individuals," and added, "We will carefully reflect the pilot operation results and citizen feedback to create a pedestrian environment where everyone can walk comfortably and safely."