[Card News Episode 17] Seoul’s Invisible Walls: Save Our Birds
In South Korea, about 8 million birds die annually from collisions with artificial structures. Seoul alone has 5,996 documented incidents, and these casualties continue to rise year-round. The data reveals that collision hotspots are concentrated where dense urban structures interrupt green corridors, making areas near parks, subway entrances, and glass structures high-risk zones. To prevent this damage, mitigation elements like translucent or patterned glass and louvers must be integrated right from the installation phase, especially within 500m of bird habitats. Consequently, Seoul must integrate these bird-safety standards into its landscape, design, and Environmental Impact Assessment systems, expanding coverage from public facilities to private buildings. It is time to save our birds from invisible walls and create a safe, shared space where humans and wildlife coexist.