Bingo card for the soul: Seoul uses small steps to help people step outside
When one resident signed up for a municipal outdoor initiative earlier this summer, taking a walk in the rain was not part of the plan. But after checking off a challenge to visit a nearby neighborhood garden, the experience offered a rare moment of solace. “If not for the challenge, it’s a place I never would have stepped foot in,” the participant later recalled in a city survey. “Stepping out…
In Seoul, a modest approach is being employed to assist individuals in venturing beyond their homes. Earlier in the summer, a resident's decision to participate in a municipal outdoor program marked the beginning of a transformative journey. The individual had no intention of braving the rain when they initially signed up for the initiative, but upon completing a challenge to visit a neighborhood garden, they discovered a newfound appreciation for the experience.
According to a subsequent city survey, the resident remarked, “If not for the challenge, it’s a place I never would have stepped foot in.” The participant found solace in the rain, feeling a sense of wonder as they watched others enjoy their walk, ultimately realizing the importance of regularly leaving their residence. This poignant realization serves as the core objective of the city's efforts.
Recognizing a nationwide issue of social isolation and loneliness, heightened by rapid urbanization and shifting family dynamics, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has adopted a gamified approach to entice residents who feel disconnected from the public sphere. On Monday, the city announced the second phase of the 365 Seoul Challenge, a program aimed at alleviating chronic feelings of loneliness by integrating everyday outdoor activities into residents' lives.
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