Research Report: Definition of Urban Renewal and Typological Analysis of Urban Renewal and Revitalization Plans under the Special Law on Urban Renewal

Research Report: Definition of Urban Renewal and Typological Analysis of Urban Renewal and Revitalization Plans under the Special Law on Urban Renewal

2024_12 Yeongho Hong, Real Estate Researcher, Yangpyeong-gun

1. introduction

As urbanization is rapidly advancing, some urban areas are stagnating, failing to achieve sustainable development in economic, social, and environmental aspects. To solve this problem, Korea has enacted the Special Act on Urban Regeneration and is promoting various policies aimed at the physical, economic, social, and environmental revitalization of declining urban areas. This study analyzes the definition of urban revitalization as stipulated in the Special Law for Urban Renewal and the two main types of urban revitalization plans that accompany it, and provides an in-depth discussion of the purpose of urban revitalization and how it can be achieved.

2. definition of urban renewal under the Special Law for Urban Renewal

Urban revitalization under the Special Law for Urban Renewal is defined as the process of revitalizing deteriorated urban spaces, improving the quality of life of residents, and creating a sustainable urban environment. Such a process takes a comprehensive approach that includes not only the physical environment, but also all social and economic factors. The participation and cooperation of various stakeholders is essential for the successful realization of urban renewal, which can increase the vitality of local communities and revitalize local economies.[1]

The Special Law on Urban Regeneration defines urban renewal as "activities to revitalize declining or stagnant urban areas physically, economically, socially, and environmentally, to improve the living standards of residents, and to promote sustainable urban development. This is a process that goes beyond simply improving the physical environment and pursues the overall goal of improving the quality of life of residents, revitalizing the economy, and creating a sustainable environment.

The key elements of urban renewal are:

- Physical regeneration: improving old and inconvenient residential areas and public facilities to increase the external value of the city.

- Social regeneration: activities to strengthen the social cohesion of the local population and to promote their participation.

- Economic revitalization: revitalizing the local economy, creating jobs, and restoring the commercial and industrial base.

- Environmental revitalization: Sustainable development to create an environmentally friendly urban environment.

3. types of urban revitalization plans for urban revitalization projects

In order for an urban revitalization project to be successful, an urban revitalization plan must be established and implemented in a strategic and systematic manner. Urban revitalization plans can be divided into two main types: general revitalization plans and city center revitalization plans.

Housing Environment Improvement Type: In this type, the goal is to improve the living environment for residents by improving dilapidated housing and residential facilities. This can reflect residents' requirements not only through physical improvement of housing, but also through participatory planning of community infrastructure.[2]

 

Commercial environment revitalization type: This type of project aims to revitalize the local economy through the reconfiguration of commercial facilities. This involves reorganizing the local business district and introducing new business models to increase economic vitality.[3]

 

Public space redevelopment: This type of project improves public spaces such as parks and squares to enhance social interaction. This contributes to promoting interaction among local residents and strengthening community solidarity.[4]

 

Cultural Revitalization: This type of project is designed to preserve and utilize local cultural heritage to strengthen the local identity and develop it as a tourism resource to generate economic benefits. This type emphasizes the importance of cooperative governance in urban renewal projects centered on cultural heritage.[5]

3.1. General Regeneration and Revitalization Plan

- CONCEPT: A general revitalization plan is a comprehensive plan for a specific area to improve the physical environment of the area and enhance the living conditions of its residents. The plan covers a variety of areas within the city, and redevelopment takes place in various areas, primarily residential and commercial districts.

- Goal: To revitalize decaying neighborhoods and improve the quality of life for residents. The goal is to improve the overall physical, social, and economic environment of the area.

- Main activities

Improvement of residential areas (remodeling of buildings, renovation of dilapidated facilities, etc.)

Expansion and redevelopment of public facilities (parks, roads, commercial facilities, etc.)

Provision of welfare and cultural facilities for local residents

Operating various programs for residents' participation and communication.

3.2. City Center Revitalization Plan

- Concept: The revitalization plan for the city center is a revitalization plan for the commercial and economic center of the city. The plan primarily aims to restore the commercial functionality of the city center area and increase the competitiveness of the city.

- Goal: To revitalize the local economy by restoring the city's commercial centers and key economic functions. It will also modernize existing industries and introduce new commercial functions for economic growth.

- Key Activities:

Redevelopment and redevelopment of commercial districts

Modernization of transportation and infrastructure

Integration and interaction of commercial-cultural-industrial functions

Strategic development to increase commercial attractiveness

Development and revitalization of tourism resources in urban areas

4. social value of urban renewal and sustainable development

Resource Efficiency: Urban renewal is designed toward recycling existing resources and increasing energy efficiency to promote sustainable resource management. This reduces resource waste and minimizes negative environmental impacts.[6]

 

Environmental Protection: The expansion of green spaces and the introduction of environmentally friendly modes of transportation will help preserve urban ecosystems and reduce environmental pollution. These efforts will maintain the ecological balance of the city and ensure long-term environmental health.[7]

 

Economic Sustainability: Urban renewal revitalizes local economies, creates jobs and economic independence, and contributes to the formation of long-term sustainable economic structures. It increases the diversity of the local economy and enhances economic stability.[8]

Urban renewal is more than just physical redevelopment; it is a process that simultaneously pursues the cultural and economic recovery of a community. In particular, the Special Law on Urban Renewal emphasizes the participation and cooperation of residents and lays the groundwork for sustainable development. In this way, the pursuit of social values and sustainable development is a key goal of urban renewal, with an emphasis on improving the quality of life of local residents and revitalizing the local economy.

 

5. Conclusion

The definition of urban renewal under the Special Law for Urban Renewal and the two types of urban renewal and revitalization plans play an important role in preventing urban decline and promoting revitalization. General revitalization plans and central city revitalization plans have different foci, allowing for the formulation of diverse urban revitalization strategies tailored to the specific characteristics of each region. Beyond short-term results, urban revitalization should focus on building a sustainable urban environment in the long term, which will contribute to the sustainable development of Korean society.

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[1] Liu, Y., Shen, L., Ren, Y., & Zhou, T. (2023). Regeneration towards suitability: A decision-making framework for determining urban regeneration mode and strategies. Habitat International.

[2] Hui, E., Chen, T., Lang, W., & Ou, Y. (2021). Urban community regeneration and community vitality revitalization through participatory planning in China. Cities, 110, 103072.

[3] Battaglia, V., Massarotti, N., & Vanoli, L. (2022). Urban regeneration plans: Bridging the gap between planning and design energy districts. Energy.

[4] Kowkabi, L. (2021). Revitalization of bio infrastructure network, an approach to urban regeneration: A case study of the qanats of Tehran. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, 59, 127020.

[5] Kim, H., Kim, H., & Woosnam, K. (2023). Considering urban regeneration policy support: Perceived collaborative governance in cultural heritage-led regeneration projects of Korea. Habitat International.

[6] Battaglia, V., Massarotti, N., & Vanoli, L. (2022). Urban regeneration plans: Bridging the gap between planning and design energy districts. Energy.

[7] Tarsitano, E., Rosa, A., Posca, C., Petruzzi, G., Mundo, M., & Colao, M. (2020). A sustainable urban regeneration project to protect biodiversity. Urban Ecosystems, 24, 827-844.

[8] Korkmaz, C., & Balaban, O. (2020). Sustainability of urban regeneration in Turkey: Assessing the performance of the North Ankara Urban Regeneration Project. Habitat International, 95, 102081.

 

References

 

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Hui, E., Chen, T., Lang, W., & Ou, Y. (2021). Urban community regeneration and community vitality revitalization through participatory planning in China. Cities, 110, 103072.

Kang, Y., Kim, T., & Kim, E. (2023). What keeps urban areas from declining? Comparison of before and after effects of the urban regeneration project for the Busan city in South Korea. Heliyon, 9.

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Kowkabi, L. (2021). Revitalization of bio infrastructure network, an approach to urban regeneration: A case study of the qanats of Tehran. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, 59, 127020.

Li, X., Zhang, F., Hui, E., & Lang, W. (2020). Collaborative workshop and community participation: A new approach to urban regeneration in China. Cities, 102, 102743.

Levine, D., Sussman, S., Ayalon, S. Y., & Aharon-Gutman, M. (2022). Rethinking Gentrification and Displacement: Modeling the Demographic Impact of Urban Regeneration. Planning Theory and Practice, 23, 578-597.

Liu, Y., Shen, L., Ren, Y., & Zhou, T. (2023). Regeneration towards suitability: A decision-making framework for determining urban regeneration mode and strategies. Habitat International, None.

Tarsitano, E., Rosa, A., Posca, C., Petruzzi, G., Mundo, M., & Colao, M. (2020). A sustainable urban regeneration project to protect biodiversity. Urban Ecosystems, 24, 827-844.

Zhao, P., Ali, Z. M., Hashim, N. H. N., Ahmad, Y., & Wang, H. (2024). Evaluating social sustainability of urban regeneration in historic urban areas in China: The case of Xi'an. Journal of environmental management, 370, 122520.