This study aims to analyze the types, locational characteristics, and spatial distribution patterns of traditional irrigation facilities within the Uiseong Traditional Irrigation Agricultural System, designated as the 10th Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage System (NIAHS) in Korea. Focusing on the Geumseongsan area in Uiseong-gun, a total of 591 irrigation facilities ― including reservoirs and small-scale ponds (dumbeong) ― were surveyed and analyzed in terms of altitude, slope, area, structural type, and hydrological network based on administrative villages. The results show that nearly 90% of the irrigation facilities are concentrated within the 100-200m elevation zone surrounding Mt. Geumseongsan (531m), forming a circular pattern around the caldera. This spatial structure reflects adaptation to the region's volcanic topography and limited rainfall conditions. Most facilities are small in size; over 76% are less than 500㎡, and dumbeongs outnumber reservoirs by more than 2:1. Notably, 47% of the reservoirs still maintain traditional cork-and-log water control structures (motjong and sutong), demonstrating the persistence of cultural practices and traditional irrigation knowledge. On average, each village contains 3 water systems and 7 tributaries, with 11 reservoirs and 24 dumbeongs. A distinct feature is the hierarchical water network where multiple reservoirs are sequentially linked within a single stream―known locally as “grandfather-father-son” ponds―allowing for efficient reuse of return flow and water distribution. For example, in Tamni-ri, reservoirs such as Wima-ji, Heontang-up-ji, and Heontang-ji are functionally integrated, supported by supplementary dumbeongs for additional water needs. These findings highlight the adaptive strategies of Uiseong's traditional irrigation system in response to topographic and climatic constraints. The spatial and functional integration of irrigation facilities and local water management communities (surigye) exemplifies a complex and sustainable agro-ecological heritage. The study underscores the need for integrated conservation approaches that account not only for individual facilities but also for hydrological networks and community-based management structures to ensure the long-term sustainability of this agricultural heritage system.
This study provides foundational research aimed at establishing living spheres in island regions by analyzing the accessibility of basic living services in inhabited islands. By comparing accessibility levels with public service standards set primarily for inland regions, the study offers essential policy directions and data. Due to their remote nature, island regions generally exhibit poor spatial accessibility, leading to limited provision of essential services and increasing the risk of regional decline, highlighting the urgent need for tailored policy responses. Although interest in improving the welfare and living environment of island residents has grown through legislation such as the Island Development Promotion Act and the Special Act on Support for Remote Peripheral Islands, comprehensive studies on basic service conditions in these regions remain scarce. To address this gap, spatial datasets of facilities, roads, and ferry routes were constructed for 321 inhabited islands with established ferry services, and network analyses were conducted. These analyses visualized accessibility ranges and assessed service conditions across island regions. Results show that island regions, constrained by geographic isolation, often fail to meet inland-based standards for average minimum access time to basic services. This reveals a significant disparity in service accessibility between island and inland areas. The findings underscore the limitations of applying inland-centered policies uniformly to island regions and emphasize the need for differentiated standards that reflect the unique spatial characteristics of islands. Therefore, both qualitative and quantitative improvements in basic living service provision are essential for enhancing the quality of life in island communities. Overall, this study offers critical insights and baseline data for island living sphere planning and provides valuable evidence to support the development of more effective, region-specific policies for improving service accessibility in inhabited islands.
This study surveyed 46 instructors and 166 trainees from 16 institutions offering the Level-2 Agro-Healing Specialist Training Course to identify curriculum improvement needs. Most respondents were in their 50s with agricultural backgrounds, and program awareness was mainly through formal education or lectures. The general population and individuals with psychosocial difficulties were identified as primary target groups, indicating potential for expanding preventive-type programs. Key competencies included understanding human physical, cognitive, and psychosocial characteristics, as well as program design and implementation skills. Despite significant training hours allocated to program-related subjects, both groups expressed a strong need for supplementary education balancing theory and practice. Preferred providers were Level-2 training institutions and agro-healing centers, with 10 hours per year considered appropriate. Elective course feedback suggested maintaining current hours while adding subjects on client understanding, agro-healing resources, safety, and environmental issues. Findings highlight the need to strengthen practical training, diversify electives, and establish systematic supplementary education, providing a basis for future curriculum development and policy in agro-healing.
Today, Korean society is facing a crisis of regional extinction due to the rapid population decline and aging in rural areas, and accordingly, new ways to utilize rural spaces are urgently required. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of remote and flexible work models, bringing increased attention to the concept of “workcation” as an emerging lifestyle and work trend. This study explores the possibility of using rural campgrounds as work spaces, and through this, attempts to derive the possibility of conversion into new residential spaces in rural areas. To this end, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with users who have experienced actual remote working at campgrounds, and user behaviors, spatial conditions, constraints, and demands for improvement were derived through repetitive comparative analysis based on grounded theory. As a result of the analysis, while remote working users in campgrounds feel satisfied with the nature-friendly environment and cost-effectiveness, physical inconveniences such as electricity and Internet use, weather, insects, and noise and limitations in space composition were pointed out. Accordingly, this study presented policy proposals for separating work spaces, expanding convenience facilities, equipment rental services, development of regional linkage programs, and change of work awareness. This study empirically demonstrated that rural campgrounds can function as long-term accommodations where work and rest coexist beyond simple leisure spaces, and provides practical implications that can contribute to the influx of related populations and the establishment of sustainable space strategies in rural areas in the future.
A Strategic Study on the Utilization of Vacant Rural Houses Based on Digital Technologies - A Spatial Planning Approach toward Smart Village Transition -
This study aims to explore strategic approaches to utilizing vacant houses in rural areas through the application of digital technologies, with a specific focus on their potential role in the transition toward smart villages. While rural vacancy issues have been traditionally addressed through demolition or temporary remodeling policies, such measures often fall short of providing sustainable solutions. Recognizing the limitations of existing approaches, this research reconceptualizes vacant houses not merely as physical liabilities but rather as strategic spatial assets for technological experimentation and rural regeneration. To achieve this goal, a structured analytical framework is developed, incorporating six key dimensions: type of applied digital technology, utilization purpose, governance and operating actors, institutional linkage, sustainability, and scalability. Using a qualitative case study method, the research analyzes seven domestic and international cases in Japan and Korea. The cases are categorized into four strategic types: tourism-oriented temporary stay models, digital work center models, energy-autonomous hubs, and community-based shared space models. Based on the case analysis, the study proposes practical strategies and policy conditions for the implementation of each type. These include infrastructure development, institutional flexibility through regulatory sandbox policies, hybrid governance models, and tailored policy instruments for each functional type. The study concludes that digital technologies, when strategically integrated, can fundamentally redefine the functions of rural vacant houses and contribute to the spatial restructuring of rural areas. This paper offers theoretical and policy-oriented insights into digital transformation in rural planning, and lays the groundwork for empirical research on smart village development.
This study investigates spatial extension practices of rural community centers in South Korea, aiming to identify typological characteristics and planning implications for responding to evolving spatial demands. A total of 93 facilities were surveyed in three township-level areas located in Jeollanam-do, Chungcheongnam-do, and Jeollabuk-do Provinces. The findings reveal that extensions are not simple floor area increases but spatial adaptations reflecting changes in functional requirements and community use patterns. Extension types were classified into functional enhancement, service improvement, and storage addition, with frequent interventions observed in core ancillary spaces such as toilets and storage rooms. The extensions predominantly occurred in the rear and lateral directions, maintaining the single-story configuration of the original structures. Regional differences were noted in extension frequency, spatial composition, and added floor area. Based on the results, this study proposes planning strategies including flexible spatial configurations, integrated circulation planning, minimum standards for ancillary spaces, structural readiness for future expansion, and region-specific spatial models. The study contributes to the discourse on adaptive spatial planning of rural facilities and offers practical insights for sustainable community infrastructure development.
This study examines strategies to improve the operational framework of South Korea’s Local Extinction Response Fund through a comprarative analysis of policies in Japan, France, Germany, and the United States. These countries have adopted distinct approaches to address regional population decline and economic deterioration. Japan prioritizes decentralization and youth settlement through performance-based funding and hometown tax donation scheme. France employs tailored programs based on urban scale and regional context, facilitated by contractual partnerships between central and local governments. Germany operates under a decentralized federal system, with coordinated responsibilities and co-financed regional development programs. The United States focuses on economic stimulation using tax incentives, block grants, and public-private partnerships within a distributed administrative structure. In contrast, South Korea’s fund remains highly centralized, with limited local discretion, constrained private sector engagement, and a short-term evaluation model. Based on international practices, this study proposes four directions for reform: (1) institutionalizing multi-level governance to strengthen local autonomy; (2) expanding financial diversity through private investment mechanisms; (3) shifting toward long-term, outcome-based performance assessment; and (4) applying differentiated strategies that reflect regional socio-economic contexts. These recommendations aim to enhance the fund’s sustainability and effectiveness in mitigating local decline and supporting regional regeneration.
Methane (CH4) emissions from rice cultivation significantly contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions. This study evaluated the effectiveness of water management practices, including alternate wetting and drying (AWD) and mid-season drainage (MSD), in mitigating CH₄ emissions from paddy fields in Pohang, South Korea. Field experiments compared continuous flooding (CF) with various combinations of AWD and MSD treatments. Results showed that AWD with a two- or three-week MSD reduced CH₄ emissions by over 85% compared to CF, highlighting the potential of intermittent aerobic soil conditions to inhibit methanogen activity. Water conservation benefits were also noted, with AWD saving up to 29.8% of water compared to CF. To promote the adoption of low-carbon practices, farmers participated in an education program emphasizing intermittent irrigation techniques. Post-education surveys revealed a significant increase in the adoption of low-carbon water management practices, with 74% of respondents transitioning to intermittent irrigation, up from 22% pre-education. However, challenges such as drought, soil conditions, and water supply variability were cited as barriers to implementation. This study underscores the potential of integrating optimized water management strategies with educational interventions to reduce CH₄emissions in rice cultivation. Scaling these efforts could contribute significantly to South Korea’s climate goals, supporting the transition to sustainable agricultural practices while addressing global climate challenges.
This study presents spatial locational analysis using Space Syntax and proposes reorganization strategies for livestock barns by species and scale. Existing livestock-raising restriction zones are based on straight-line distances from densely populated residential areas. However, this approach does not reflect the actual spatial structure or the functional living area. To address this issue, a quantitative analysis using Space Syntax was conducted. The study area comprises the five eastern myeon (Ilbanseong-myeon, Ibanseong-myeon, Jisu-myeon, Jinseong-myeon, Sabong-myeon) in Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do. Radii of 300m, 800m, and 1,000m from the community center were applied for each livestock species. The obtained values (NAIN, NMD) were standardized to compare and analyze the spatial structure of livestock barn locations. The quadrant graph analysis, utilizing standardized accessibility and isolation values, classifies the locations into four typologies. The results reveal that over half of the analyzed barns are situated in areas with high accessibility and low isolation indicating a high potential for conflict with residents. Furthermore, distinct distributional patterns were identified by livestock type: a predominance of small-scale Hanwoo cattle barns, large-scale poultry houses, and medium-scale swine barns was observed near community centers. Accordingly, this study proposes tailored reorganization strategies for Hanwoo cattle, poultry, and swine barns based on these spatial typologies.
This study aims to identify and prioritize the key factors required to establish basic support institutions by extending the functions of intermediary organizations in village development. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was employed to quantitatively assess the relative importance of these factors. The analysis targeted administrative officers and intermediary organization practitioners in 15 cities and counties of Chungcheongnam-do Province, classified by tenure (less than 2 years / 2 years or more) and position (administrative, senior staff, general staff). Five main factors were analyzed: expansion of dedicated staff, capacity building, collaboration system, financial support, and physical & technical infrastructure. The results show that ‘expansion of dedicated staff’ and ‘physical infrastructure’ were generally rated as the most critical, though short-tenured respondents prioritized staffing while long-tenured respondents emphasized space. This study provides foundational insights to support policy decision-making in the installation of basic support institutions, grounded in practitioner perspectives.
