The Seoul city government has declared a "Shade Walking Right" to increase pedestrian shade across the city following an unprecedented heatwave [1, 2].
The initiative addresses a critical public health gap as rising urban temperatures make walking hazardous for residents. By formalizing the right to shade, the city aims to mitigate the risks of heatstroke and other temperature-related medical emergencies during extreme weather events.
The policy follows a summer in 2024 that saw temperatures reach nearly 40 °C [1]. This period marked the first time Seoul issued a heat-wave red alert [1]. During this timeframe, the city recorded more than 400 heat-related illnesses [1].
To determine where interventions were most needed, the city government analyzed approximately 67,000 sidewalk segments [1]. This analysis covered a total length of 4,031 km of pedestrian paths [1]. The findings revealed a significant lack of protection from the sun, as more than 50% of the analyzed sidewalks were exposed to direct sunlight for four or more hours per day [1].
Furthermore, the data showed that less than 20% of the city's sidewalks currently provide adequate shade [1]. The "Shade Walking Right" pledge serves as a commitment to improve these figures through urban planning, and the installation of shade structures.
City officials said the move is necessary to protect the population as heatwaves become more frequent and intense. The government plans to prioritize the most exposed areas identified in the 4,031 km survey to ensure safer transit for all pedestrians [1].
“Seoul has declared a "Shade Walking Right" to increase pedestrian shade.”
Seoul's move to codify a 'right to shade' reflects a shift in urban planning where climate adaptation is treated as a matter of public health and civil rights. By using granular data from 67,000 sidewalk segments, the city is moving toward a data-driven approach to combat the urban heat island effect, which often disproportionately affects pedestrians and those without access to indoor cooling.
