Yongsan District residents win presidential award for safety-focused public design

The 'Yeongnong Lab' project in Yongsan District, Seoul, has received the Republic of Korea Presidential Award for Public Design after residents developed safety tools like QR code mailboxes that automatically transmit location data to emergency services.

Specialized design facilities conceived directly by residents have been installed in the areas where residential neighborhoods and commercial districts meet in Yongsan District, Seoul. These are the results of the 'Yeongnong Lab' project, where residents contributed ideas and participated directly. The project was awarded the Republic of Korea Presidential Award for Public Design in recognition of designs that consider the convenience and safety of residents.

"Manners conveyed without speaking directly"... Owl Courtesy Alert bell reduces conflict

In residential areas where commercial districts have recently developed, conflicts frequently arise between residents and visitors due to noise or smoking issues. To solve these problems, Yongsan District residents introduced a design element called the 'Owl Courtesy Alert.' Created with the participation of residents and police, this facility aims to prevent the disputes and friction that can occur when confronting someone directly to protest.

When the bell installed on the facility is pressed, a voice message such as "It is the residents' sleeping time. Please refrain from smoking and keep conversations quiet" is delivered through an owl-shaped design. A notable feature is the "humanistic" design, which separates the location of the bell to prevent direct confrontation between the person delivering the message and the person causing the noise. This is seen as an attempt to buffer the inconveniences experienced by residents through design.

'QR Mailbox' eliminates the need to explain location during emergencies

The designed mailboxes installed throughout the residential areas serve as tools for safety beyond being simple mail collection boxes. They are equipped with a function that allows users to connect immediately to 112 or 119 by scanning a QR code attached to the mailbox. This idea was devised for citizens who may find it difficult to explain their exact address during an emergency.

When a report is received through the QR code, location information can be automatically transmitted, which can increase response speeds in situations requiring emergency rescue. This design, which combines indicators that mark the area as a residential zone with safety functions, is cited as an example of how public design can assist daily safety.

Yongsan's emotional spots: railway crossings and wine ice cream

The Yongsan area where the design project was conducted has also recently been drawing attention as a hotspot that appeals to the sensibilities of the so-called 'MZ generation.' The railway crossing located in the middle of the city creates an atmosphere like a movie set and is popular as a photo spot. In particular, it is a place with a unique atmosphere that has been used as a location for filming album covers in the past.

In the nearby commercial districts, unique desserts such as 'Waa' (wine + ice cream), where people enjoy wine and gelato together, are appearing and adding vitality to the area. The method of pairing various gelato flavors such as black sesame, pistachio, and dark chocolate with white wine, among others, shows the trendy culture unique to Yongsan. The organized streets through public design are combining with this unique local sensibility to create a new landscape in Yongsan District.

Source: JTBC Entertainment (YouTube)