Mapo-gu (District Mayor Park Kang-soo) recently completed the 'Barrier-Free Road Project (Curb Lowering Project)' to create an environment where all residents can move safely and conveniently.

Mapo-gu District Mayor Park Kang-soo walks along the newly created barrier-free road with a resident in a wheelchair.

Through this project, Mapo-gu has completed curb lowering maintenance at 247 crosswalks within the district, marking a significant turning point in improving the pedestrian environment.

'Curb lowering at crosswalks' refers to lowering the height of the curbstone between the sidewalk and the crosswalk to match the width of the crosswalk.

Originally, curbstones were facilities to prevent vehicles from encroaching on sidewalks and to prevent vehicles from leaving the road in the event of an accident. However, due to the height difference, they have been a source of inconvenience for pedestrians with limited mobility, such as the disabled, the elderly, and pregnant women.

Accordingly, Mapo-gu has been progressively implementing the 'Crosswalk Curb Lowering Project' since 2024 to enhance pedestrian safety and convenience, and to strengthen the mobility rights of vulnerable pedestrians (wheelchair users, the elderly, stroller users, etc.).

First, the district collaborated with community centers to conduct a full survey of all crosswalks in the area in May of last year. Based on the results, 134 locations with high pedestrian traffic, such as near subway stations, apartment complexes, and schools, were prioritized for maintenance in the first phase of 2024. Subsequently, 113 locations with a curb height difference of 2 cm or more were maintained in the second phase of 2025, completing improvements at a total of 247 locations.

Notably, this project goes beyond simple curb lowering, as it also included the replacement of aged sidewalk blocks and the maintenance of tactile paving for the visually impaired, making it even more significant as it led to a comprehensive improvement of the pedestrian environment.

Mapo-gu District Mayor Park Kang-soo said, "Through this maintenance, we have created a safe walking path not only for vulnerable pedestrians but for all residents," and added, "We will continue to carefully address even the smallest inconveniences in daily life to make Mapo a city where people want to walk."

Meanwhile, Mapo-gu ranked first in pedestrian environment satisfaction in the central Seoul area in the 'Seoul Survey' conducted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in 2024.