Analyzing spatial equality of cooling service shelters, Central district of Seoul metropolitan city, South Korea

Abstract

Frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are getting increasing. Especially heat waves occur accumulatively and the mortality rates have rapidly increased in recent years. Therefore, the government established climate change adaptation plans (CCAPs) to strengthen adaptability. However, there are various barriers that hamper implementing CCAPs and are a lack of study about reducing the barriers. Therefore, this study researched about cooling centers which is one of facilities that improving adaptability in Jung-gu, Seoul. This study evaluated the suitability of cooling centers with the adequacy of cooling centers’ location and the capacity of cooling centers by comparing with the elderly population in service area. First of all, field survey was conducted. Service area and accessibility of elderly were deduced from the survey. Secondly, network analysis was done to analyze geographic suitability of cooling centers. Lastly, capacity suitability was investigated by using population in service area and compared with the capacities of each cooling centers. As a result, the service area is average 15 min and 20% of elderly people are living in unsuitable area for using cooling centers in Jung-gu area. Exact guideline should be suggested and more cooling center should be established to improve use of cooling center and increase adaptability.