As heatwaves intensify due to climate change, climate adaptation policies in urban areas have become increasingly important. To overcome the limitations of existing public cooling shelters—including restricted operating hours, exclusive use structur...
As heatwaves intensify due to climate change, climate adaptation policies in urban areas have become increasingly important. To overcome the limitations of existing public cooling shelters—including restricted operating hours, exclusive use structures centered on public facilities, and locational mismatches—Seoul Metropolitan Government introduced the Climate Companion Shelter policy in March 2024, utilizing private commercial facilities such as convenience stores, banks, and telecommunications agency stores. However, varying performance outcomes have been observed among shelters operating under the same policy framework. Therefore, this study aims to empirically identify the success factors and operational mechanisms of effective shelters.
This study employed a mixed-methods research approach. First, a pilot study was conducted on 33 Climate Companion Shelters, and through a review of prior research, a three-stage success framework comprising preconditions, mediators, and ultimate goals was established. Based on this framework, a field checklist was developed to evaluate all 33 shelters, from which 4 high-performing and 4 low-performing shelters were selected for in-depth comparative analysis across locational, internal spatial, and operational dimensions. The locational analysis utilized GIS spatial analysis and living population data, the internal spatial analysis employed field surveys, and the operational analysis applied in-depth interviews and comparative analysis methods.
The findings revealed the following. First, high activity population demand is essential for locational success, but location alone does not guarantee success. Even within the same neighborhood or living zone, performance varied dramatically depending on internal spatial and operational characteristics. Second, high-performing shelters provided an average of 22.3 sufficient seats, independent rest areas, and comfortable environments, creating a "structure of permission" that allows users to rest without making purchases. In particular, the spatial separation of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) areas in banks was confirmed as an effective design that structurally removes users' psychological barriers. In contrast, low-performing shelters exhibited physical limitations due to insufficient seating and cramped spaces. Third, high-performing shelters demonstrated organizational policy awareness and active hospitality, whereas low-performing shelters showed "policy ghostification" resulting from unilateral sticker placement and the formation of psychological barriers through purpose-confirming questions.
Through this analysis, the study identified that high-performing shelters exhibit a virtuous cycle structure leading from operational commitment to spatial accessibility, psychological barrier removal, and high utilization rates. This research empirically demonstrated the proposition that shelters are not merely about attaching sticker signs but about creating a "structure of hospitality." The study presents policy implications for enhancing the effectiveness of Climate Companion Shelters, including re-establishing user-centered designation criteria, developing differentiated strategies by business type, building policy delivery systems, developing design guidelines for structures of permission, and establishing performance monitoring and feedback systems.