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Climate Change Risks
Ellie Paek
Seoul Korea
Seoul is the capital and largest city in
South Korea, boasting a population of
10.4 million in 605 km2 (Seoul, 2011).
Seoul produces 48.6% of national GDP
and contains 25% of the national
population on 0.6% of land (UN Habitat,
2010). With a high City Prosperity Index
of 0.861, Seoul has rapidly developed
since the 1950s (UN Habitat 2012).
Seoul is divided into 25 districts, known
as gu’s, with 17,219 people/km2 (Seoul,
2009). The Seoul Metropolitan
Government, the city’s administrative
body, had an operating budget of
US$18.4 billion in 2010 (Seoul, 2011).
Climate Risk
Performing a climate risk assessment begins with the Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change projections of increases in both precipitation extremes and
daily mean temperatures in East and Southeast Asia (IPCC, 2007). These hazards
can negatively impact vulnerable populations within Seoul, particularly poor and
disabled populations living in flood-prone areas. Rising temperatures, increased
CO2 emissions, and the Urban Heat Island effect create health risks for sick and
elderly people across income levels. Seoul may respond by adapting aging
infrastructure to accommodate a growing population and reduce climate risk.
Response
In an effort to mitigate urban heat island (UHI) effect, air quality issues, and
congestion levels caused by population growth, this report recommends
prioritizing expansion and development of energy-efficient public
transportation while emphasizing carpooling, a No-Driving Day, and nonmotorized transportation. This policy mechanism would be enforced the
three transit regulators of Seoul, allotting a maximum allowance of CO2
emissions per vehicle in order to reduce transportation energy usage. On the
demand side, fuel-efficient vehicles would be instituted for personal use and
public transportation. On the supply side, carpooling would be incentivized as
a way to increase maximum CO2 emission allowances.
References
Mehrotra, S., C.E. Natenzon, A. Omojola, R. Folorunsho, J. Gilbride & C. Rosenzweig.
(2009). Framework for city climate risk assessment. Washington, DC: World Bank.
Seoul Metropolitan Government (2011). Ranking. Retrieved from
http://english.seoul.go.kr/gtk/gcs/ranking.php.
Seoul ranks highest in population density among OECD countries. (2009). Retrieved
from http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_international/393438.html.
UN Habitat. (2012). State of the world’s cities 2012-2013: Prosperity of cities. S.l.:
United Nations Publications.
UN Habitat (2010). State of the world’s cities 2010/2011: Bridging the urban divide.
London: Earthscan.
http://sdcenter.org/seoul-climate-risk-and-response/