South Korea's Gyeonggi Province Unveils Detailed Climate Disaster Maps

Gyeonggi Province is deploying advanced technology to combat the growing threat of extreme weather, unveiling a sophisticated climate disaster map that pinpoints heatwave vulnerability and flood risks at the granular level of individual alleyways. This initiative comes as the province grapples with a dramatic surge in heatstroke cases, which have increased seventeenfold over the past 15 years, affecting nearly 1,000 individuals annually.

The research, conducted by the Gyeonggi Research Institute, moves beyond broad temperature forecasts. It integrates 3D urban models created with aerial LiDAR, mobile population big data, and information on vulnerable demographics like low-income individuals and the elderly. This allows for a precise assessment of heat intensity, revealing that areas with dense asphalt and buildings can reach temperatures over 62°C, more than double that of shaded forest areas, even under the same heatwave advisory.

Approximately 1.8 million people, or 18.2% of Gyeonggi's living population, are exposed to the highest heatwave risks, with a significant portion being elderly residents or those who spend all day at home. The institute also developed a flood risk assessment model, analyzing extreme rainfall events that have increased by 86.2% in frequency over the last 25 years. This model evaluates both river overflow and urban flooding at a 100-meter grid level, incorporating detailed urban features like road and underpass areas to provide a more accurate picture of flood-prone zones.

This detailed mapping aims to guide local governments in prioritizing disaster prevention investments and mitigating climate-related disparities. The models have been validated against past flood events, demonstrating high accuracy in predicting actual inundation areas. The initiative represents a pioneering effort in using comprehensive spatial and demographic data to address localized climate change impacts.

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We have built a system that diagnoses heatwaves using 3D urban models for large areas and combines it with health and economic status information of 14 million residents, making it public. This is an unprecedented case globally.