Recently, the value and awareness of Environment-friendly agriculture in terms of sustainability are gradually increasing not only globally but also in South Korea. Accordingly, several previous studies have mentioned the necessity of expanding Environment-friendly agriculture and supporting farmers. But studies reflecting the opinions of actual farmers are insufficient. In this study, opinions on the status of Environment-friendly agriculture, overall perception, and certification system were investigated and analyzed for those engaged in Environment-friendly agriculture and Conventional agriculture. It was intended to derive humanities and social implications that could be generalized through a quantitative approach of the national population, and basic data based on the field were prepared that could be reflected in future agricultural policies. To this end, a regression analysis of satisfaction with the Environment-friendly certification system was conducted to derive significant variables. As a result, it was found that age and the expertise of the certification authority and the role of the related agency had a positive relationship with the satisfaction of the certification system. On the other hand, duration of Environment-friendly agriculture, the strictness of the certification standards and the lack of benefits for certified farmers had a negative relationship with the satisfaction of the certification system. From this, although the reliability of the certification system and the certification authority itself is high, the necessity of improving the system further considering the reality of the rural environment was derived. From a mid to long-term perspective, this study, which investigated the perceptions and conditions of actual farmers to expand Environment-friendly agriculture, can contribute to improving Environment-friendly agriculture policies in the future.
This study aims to analyze policy priorities for enhancing the quality of life of residents in island regions and to propose utilization strategies. With the enactment of the 「Island Development Promotion Act」 and the 「Special Act on Support for Islands on the Periphery of the Territory」, along with the introduction of the “marine living zones” concept, there is growing policy interest in improving the living environment and welfare of island residents. However, comprehensive and systematic research and policy formulation for island regions are limited, highlighting the need for policies that reflect the actual demands of the residents. This study employed the modified Importance-Performance Analysis(IPA) method to measure residents' perceptions of the quality of life in island regions and to derive policy priorities based on these perceptions. The findings reveal significant differences in the perceived living conditions between residents of general islands and those of islands on the periphery of the territory, underscoring the necessity of tailored policies for each island's characteristics. Key policy recommendations from the study include: 1) the need for diversified policy approaches considering the unique attributes of different islands, 2) improvement of living conditions based on the demands of island residents, 3) effective implementation of economic and job support policies, and 4) enhancement of the quality of medical, educational, and welfare services. This study provides crucial insights into the assessment of living conditions for island residents and establishes a foundation for setting policy priorities aimed at improving their quality of life. The findings can significantly contribute to future policy formulation focused on the well-being of island communities. 1)
Recently, rural areas are facing the situation of population aging, weakening of village communities, and also facing the crisis of regional extinction. This study analyzed the relationship between rural experience cultural activities and the sense of community, regional attachment, and community satisfaction at the village level for residents of four villages in Wanju-gun (Wonyongam, Dueok Happy Dream, Sinbong, and Yegok). The case area is a village where cultural experience activities are conducted for village residents and where a majority of residents participate. The main implications of the analysis results are as follows: First, it is necessary to increase regional attachment by developing customized rural cultural experience programs that can satisfy the needs of village residents and improve their sense of membership. Second, considering that rural experience cultural activities are conducted in the case area villages, regional attachment is high and the satisfaction of the village residents in the community is generally good, we should seek ways to continuously maintain rural experience cultural activities. Third, in addition to rural experience cultural activities that can link the regional attachment and community satisfaction of village residents, other cultural activities should be linked and expanded from the village to the community. 1)
Reading the Cultural Landscape Value of Jeju’s Batdam, a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System Site, through Phenology - Focused on ‘Yeongdeung Halmang Batdam’ in Gwiduk 1-ri -
정다애 Chung Da-ae , 김도은 Kim Do-eun , 서준원 Suh Joon-won , 손용훈 Son Yonghoon , 조경진 Zoh Kyung-jin
This study focused on the Jeju Batdam, a traditional landscape system designated as a GIAHS(Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System) site, which has not only supported the agricultural system but also the lives of Jeju Island residents. Despite its mixed value, there has been a lack of research consideration on this subject. Therefore, this study aims to highlight the historical and cultural significance of Jeju Batdam as a cultural landscape by applying the phenological calendar, a time-series analysis method for landscapes, to interpret its value. The study specifically targets Gwiduk 1-ri, Hallim-eup, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, to understand cultural aspects related to Batdam, the lifestyle of local residents, and their daily lives through interviews and field surveys. The cultural landscape characteristics of Jeju Batdam, as interpreted from the study results, include: ‘Diversification of crops due to environmental changes’, ‘Places of childhood memories and everyday experiences embedded in lives of residents through Batdam’, ‘Inheritance of the Batdam spirit reflecting locality and community culture’, and ‘Development of new value through the utilization and connection of Batdam resources’. Through this, the study presents a new perspective on understanding the dynamic meanings and cultural landscape value of Jeju Batdam as it has evolved over time. It suggests the need to go beyond a system that focuses solely on the preservation and protection of Batdam as a physical artifact, and instead recognize and preserve its hidden cultural landscape value as a dynamic landscape. This study is expected to serve as a useful framework for identifying the significant past values of Batdam and for the future sustainable preservation and revitalization of Batdam. 1)
Analyzing the Location Characteristics of Public Service Facilities Based on Rural Population Size - A Focus on Japan's Study on Service Facility Closure and Maintenance Thresholds -
유준완 Yu Joon-wan , 김상범 Kim Sang-bum , 김수연 Kim Suyeon
This study analyzes the location characteristics of public service facilities in rural areas affected by population decline and proposes closure and maintenance thresholds for these facilities, drawing on the methodology used by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism. The study focuses on 17 types of public service facilities, including hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, elderly welfare centers, laundromats, bathhouses, convenience stores, cafes, financial institutions, high schools, libraries, and cinemas. Using 2020 population data from the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS) and local government facility data, the analysis covers 1,403 townships to calculate the probability of facility existence based on population size. The results reveal that in areas with populations under 3,000, many service facilities fall below the closure threshold, indicating sustainability challenges. Moreover, the thresholds vary by facility type, with certain services like cinemas only being viable in areas with populations exceeding 10,000. This study offers policy insights for optimizing the distribution and investment of public service facilities in rural regions, and it can serve as a foundational resource for future rural development planning. However, the study is limited by its reliance on 2020 data, which may not fully capture recent population shifts or facility usage patterns, and by its focus on township-level analysis without considering regional accessibility or cross-border facility usage. 1)
The purpose of this study is to analyze the economies of scale in fruit production(apples, pears, peaches, and field-cultivated grapes). The raw data of the Rural Development Administration's agricultural income survey from 2015 to 2021 were used. The translog cost function and the share equation of the production factors were estimated simultaneously using seemingly unrelated regression. The results show that the optimal production scales were 9.81 ha for apples, 11.91 ha for pears, 11.14 ha for peaches, and 3.99 ha for field-cultivated grapes, respectively. The results also indicated that the cost elasticities on average areas were 0.354 for apples, 0.293 for pears, 0.261 for peaches, and 0.312 for field-cultivated grapes, respectively. Additionally, the cost elasticities on specialized fruit farms were 0.295 for apples, 0.230 for pears, 0.179 for peaches, 0.119 for field-cultivated grapes, respectively. The results of this study are expected to provide useful information for policies aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of fruit production, such as establishing standards for full-time fruit farms. 1)
The Study on Spatial Autocorrelation Analysis for Classifying Homogeneous Areas in Rural Spaces -Focusing on Population Structure Changes in Sangju-si-
This study aims to present a case for establishing rural spatial planning in the population sector by examining the spatial distribution changes and identifying common regional characteristics based on age-specific population structures. To achieve this, the study analyzes the population distribution of Sangju-si, focusing on the changes in total population, the proportion of the working-age population, and the proportion of the elderly population through spatial autocorrelation analysis. The results reveal that the population of Sangju-si has been declining in the northwest and west, with a noticeable concentration of population in the eastern areas. The working-age population ratio is higher in the eastern region, while the western region, despite having a small overall population, shows particularly low proportions of working-age individuals. In terms of the elderly population ratio, regions surrounding the eastern area exhibit relatively higher proportions of elderly compared to the eastern area. The western region, with its smaller population, shows a qualitatively higher proportion of elderly individuals, indicating a serious aging issue. This appears to be a result of the concentration of younger working-age populations in and around the eastern region, leading to a lower proportion of elderly in those areas. Although this analysis is limited to population structure, it reveals an imbalance in the development between the eastern and western regions of Sangju-si. To address this imbalance and foster balanced development, specific strategies such as job creation and enhanced service delivery are needed for the western region, which appears to be relatively underdeveloped. 1)
In this study, it is observed that rural areas in reality exhibit irregular spatial structures. Consequently, setting a circular radius centered around a hub area as the central zone has limitations in reflecting the actual spatial layout. Therefore, this research serves as a foundational study for establishing central zones in rural areas, with the objective of analyzing the spatial distribution patterns of central zones using the rural center as a reference point. The study selected rural areas that have developed central zones, targeting 16 rural towns within Chungcheongbuk-do. To determine the central point, both administrative and economic central points were considered. Using these central points as references, the study divided the area into eight segments in a fan-shaped pattern within 300m and 500m radii, establishing development directions. The spatial density of buildings in each direction was analyzed, ultimately allowing for an analysis of the spatial characteristics of the central zone. It was evident that the majority of rural areas exhibit irregular structures. 1)
Due to the recent water shortage caused by climate change, it is possible to evaluate water conservation effects through agricultural water policies and efficient water resource management by using the water footprint of rice fields,. In this study, we investigated the paddy rice water footprint under water management using the Agricultural Policy Environmental eXtender Paddy(APEX-Paddy) model corrected by applying the infiltration monitoring results. The water management scenario applied to the model is Continuously Flooding(CF), Intermittent Drainage(ID), Alternate Wetting and Drying(AWD). Considering only the consumption use, the green water footprint of CF, CF+ID, and ID+AWD were 405.1 ㎥/ton, 418.7 ㎥/ton, and 426.2 ㎥/ton, and the blue water footprint were 589.0 ㎥/ton, 549.8 ㎥/ton, and 530.3 ㎥/ton, the total water footprint were 994.1 ㎥/ton, 968.6 ㎥/ton, and 956.5 ㎥/ton. In the case of water footprint including return flow, the return flow rate of CF, CF+ID, ID+AWD were 62.9%, 58.8%, and 56.0%. Also, over the past 30 years, the water footprint in the 2010s has increased from 13.7% to 16.9% compared with the 1990s. The results of this study are expected to be used as basic data for calculating the water footprint of rice fields and disseminating rice field water management technology for efficient management of agricultural water. 1)
This study examines the potential of urban agriculture through an empirical experiment using vertical planters for hydroponic farming on the rooftop of Seoul National University. The results show that vertical planters can make highly efficient use of space, allowing a diverse range of crops to thrive in a compact rooftop area. Participants reported high satisfaction with the fresh, flavorful vegetables grown and appreciated the educational and hands-on experience the activity provided. However, the experiment highlighted several challenges. The system proved vulnerable to external factors, including strong winds and extreme weather, which led to inconsistent crop growth. Additionally, high initial installation costs and ongoing maintenance expenses were significant barriers to broader adoption. Even with automation systems in place, frequent manual adjustments were needed to manage issues like nutrient and water supply. Some crops, especially those with deeper root systems, had difficulty adapting to the vertical planters, leading to issues like stem crowding, leaf wilting, and nutrient deficiencies such as chlorosis. Despite these challenges, the study's findings suggest that vertical hydroponic farming is a viable option for expanding urban agriculture in densely populated areas, especially for "Rurbanites"―city dwellers who wish to cultivate crops and vegetables within the city. It offers valuable opportunities for community engagement and educational programs, making it a promising approach to integrating agriculture into urban spaces. Looking ahead, enhancing the structural durability of vertical planters and refining automation systems will be essential to reduce the labor demands of maintenance. Expanding educational outreach and community involvement will also be crucial to encourage greater participation and ensure the sustainability of urban agriculture initiatives. 1)
This study aims to prioritize the restructuring and revitalization strategies for rural spaces based on the characteristics of different types of rural villages. Using the Delphi Hierarchy Process (DHP), which combines the Delphi method and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), this research evaluates the key strategies for three types of rural villages: basic residential, agricultural, and urban-rural exchange villages. The results indicate that, for basic residential villages, improving residential and living conditions, as well as delivering essential services, are the top priorities. In agricultural villages, economic revitalization and landscape/environmental management rank highest, while urban-rural exchange villages prioritize community vitality enhancement and economic activation. At the sub-factor level, basic residential villages focus on developing hub villages, improving housing conditions in vulnerable areas, and creating an attractive residential environment for population influx. In agricultural villages, tailored support for full-time farmers, the introduction of smart agriculture technologies, and the establishment of regional agricultural industry clusters are emphasized. Urban-rural exchange villages prioritize creating shared spaces, supporting urban-rural connectivity, and job creation. This study provides valuable insights into differentiated strategies for each village type, offering a foundation for future rural restructuring and revitalization plans, especially in the context of government policies for sustainable rural development. 1)
This study empirically analyzed the impact of smart agriculture on farm performance, focusing on the first generation smart farms. The panel data from the Farm Economic Survey for five years (2018-2022) with representative samples was used. The Propensity Score Matching (PSM) was used to analyze the impact of smart agriculture technology on the agricultural income. The impact of introducing smart farming on production efficiency was analyzed using both Stochastic Frontier Analysis and Data Envelope Analysis. The results of the analysis showed that the agricultural income of farms that introduced smart agriculture was 26.7% higher on average than that of non-introduced farms, suggesting that the dissemination of smart farming technology is contributing to improving agricultural management performance. Therefore, it will be necessary to seek to increase agricultural income by expanding smart agriculture. In addition, the results of the production efficiency analysis showed that the production efficiency of farms that introduced smart agriculture was about 2∼8% higher than that of non-introduced farms, depending on the model, suggesting that the dissemination of smart agriculture materials and technologies can increase farm production efficiency. 1)
Development and Application of a Vulnerability Diagnostic indicators for Rural Areas -A Case Study of Jinan, Jeollabuk-do, Considering Quality of Life and Livability -
강수정 Kang Sujeong , 박유진 Park Yujin , 김린 Kim Rin , 이상우 Lee Sang-woo , 김상범 Kim Sangbum , 이정아 Lee Junga
Korea's rural areas, rich in natural resources and scenic landscapes, are facing a crisis of rural depopulation due to population decline, aging, and uncontrolled development. This study aims to develop a vulnerability diagnostic indicators for rural areas by integrating the concepts of quality of life and livability. A diagnostic process was developed and applied to Jinan-gun, Jeollabuk-do, to demonstrate its applicability and effectiveness. The diagnostic process incorporates two approaches: a functional vulnerability analysis and a field survey-based assessment. Functional diagnostic indicators reflecting rural characteristics were developed and applied to analyze four categories (living, production, rest, and community areas) using statistical data (2020-2023) from sources such as KOSIS and the Rural Space Information System. Indicators were normalized using the Min-Max Rescaling method, enabling cross-regional comparisons. Field surveys assessed residential comfort and identified disruptive factors, such as abandoned houses and insufficient green spaces, through direct observations and resident interviews. The vulnerability of Jinan-gun was analyzed across the four functional categories. Among the eight vulnerability levels (Ⅰ to Ⅷ), the living area was rated as Ⅶ, the production area as Ⅳ, the rest area as Ⅵ, and the community area as Ⅴ. Jeongcheon-myeon was the most vulnerable in the living area due to aged and vacant houses, lack of elderly welfare facilities, and poor public transportation. These findings provide a basis for designing tailored management projects and suggest the need for policy support addressing the unique characteristics of each region.
This study suggested a method of classifying the hierarchy of settlement of rural centers to select a target site for Rural Development Projects and an improvement plan to reflect the results of centrality analysis in the project. Based on the guidelines for the promotion of Rural Development Projects, evaluation items for the classification of settlements hierarchy were constructed, and an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) importance survey evaluation table was created. Since the evaluation grade interval is set differently depending on the purpose of evaluation and the evaluator, in this study, relative grade classification by statistical methods and grade classification by determining the presence or absence of evaluation factors were used as the type of grade classification of evaluation criteria. The evaluation results were derived by applying the functional index method, the modified function index method reflecting the AHP survey results, and the evaluation score reflecting the AHP weighting value and evaluation grade to the case area. As three evaluation methods, the hierarchy of settlements in the rural center of the case area were divided into four stages. The hierarchical classification by the functional index method is arranged in the order of the highest functional index, and the central class is classified by disconnection, so differences may occur depending on the evaluator. However, in the case of evaluation using evaluation scores, the hierarchy is clearly distinguished based on a total of 100, so that the difference between evaluators can be reduced, and the hierarchy distinction by Eup/Myeon in rural centers can be clearly distinguished. If the AHP hierarchy of settlement and evaluation score reflecting the evaluation grade presented in the study are used, it is easy to identify facilities that are insufficient or need to be improvement in each rural centers and establish a business plan. In the future, it is expected that it can be used in rural development practice if the scope of experts is expanded to supplement evaluation items and importance evaluation, and if the evaluation grade is set by analyzing functional facility data in Gyeongsangnam-do or rural centers of nationwide. 1)
The aim of this study was to investigate farmers’ willingness to provide social services based agro-healing activities and its predictors. The participants of this study were adult farm owners aged 19 and older who had provided agricultural activities for purpose such as education, care, healing services in Korea. A total of 121 cases were collected by self-reported survey between May 3, 2023 and March 22, 2024 and data were analyzed by SPSS 26.0 program. The main findings were as follows. First, farmers’ willingness to provide social services based on agro-healing activities were found to be positively agreed. Second, the significant predictors of this willingness were degree of the perceived need for agro-healing services linked with social services and those future positive impacts. These analysis results have the following practical and political implications. Practically, many education and marketing programs for the farmers should be developed in the field. Politically, it is necessary to reorganization law and related systems that can promote a variety of social services or vouchers based on agro-healing activities. 1)
In response to rural challenges such as population decline and unregulated development, the Rural Spatial Restructuring Act was enacted in March 2024. Starting in 2025, 139 cities and counties nationwide must establish basic rural spatial plans and will be permitted to designate and manage Rural Specialized Zones. However, discussions on the designation and management of these zones remain limited. This study focuses on developing criteria for designating Agricultural Landscape Zones, a type of Rural Specialized Zone, to preserve regional identity and rural character. Using GIS and spatial data, two rural areas with different characteristics were analyzed for potential Agricultural Landscape Zones. The candidate areas for these zones were identified by considering the scale of farmland and viewpoints for landscape resources to determine appropriate boundaries. In Dangjin City, a rural area with significant development, the area designated for Landscape Conservation Direct Payment (agricultural land) was much smaller compared to Sunchang County, a typical rural area. Thus, utilizing Agricultural Landscape Zones in Dangjin as buffers against unregulated development and as tourism resources proved more efficient. Conversely, in Sunchang County, the higher proportion of large-scale farmland made it feasible to create extensive agricultural landscapes. This indicates the need for further segmentation of the scale and function of Agricultural Landscape Zones to align with regional characteristics.
This study aims to find an evaluation methodology for selecting target sites for efficient promotion of rural space development projects. It examines the status of livestock farms, residential buildings, factories, and solar power facilities across 229 towns and townships in Jeollanam-do and uses basic statistical analysis, K-means clustering, and Pareto analysis to categorize sites by harmfulness and density. The basic analysis method and the K-means clustering method are useful for analyzing and interpreting data, but each method has several drawbacks: achieving statistical significance and the difficulty of determining the number of clusters. In this study, Pareto analysis produces results similar to those of basic analysis because it also highlights the most significant factors affecting the overall outcome. Pareto analysis specifically focuses on identifying and visualizing the top contributors to a problem or situation, often using the 80/20 rule, which states that approximately 80% of effects come from 20% of causes. This can be particularly useful for prioritizing areas that need improvement. The methodology proposed in this study enables straightforward and objective planning and policy decision-making for future rural space improvement projects based on rural spatial planning.
The purpose of this study analyzed the indoor air quality of the residents' daily exchange space and diagnosed pollutants as an on-site survey of small community facilities in rural areas. The physical survey of community facilities was conducted on the year of approval of use, housing shape, wall material, area, and the number of people staying at all times, and the pollutants in the indoor space were investigated. Fine dust (PM10), Ultrafine dust (PM2.5), HCHO, TVOC were measured for indoor air quality pollutants in community facilities. It was found that 86.3% of the buildings were built on the structure and material type of community facilities, and 65% of the facilities that were aged "more than 25 years", and the approval year for use was about 25 years old. Depending on the size of the community facilities and the number of households in the administrative district, there was a large variation, and the density of occupants using community facilities was found to be 7.6㎡/person. As a result of measuring the indoor air quality of community facilities, it was analyzed that the use of periodic natural ventilation and air purifiers was more related to indoor air quality maintenance, rather than the difference in pollutant concentration due to the physical aging relationship between old and new buildings. The concentration of fine dust was distributed between 8㎍/㎥ and 70.7㎍/㎥ of the multi-use facility maintenance standards used by the vulnerable group, and the concentration of ultra-fine dust exceeded the concentration of 36.7㎍/㎥ to 42.7㎍/㎥ in four places that exceeded the attraction standard. The pollution concentration of HCHO was between 10㎍/㎥ and 960㎍/㎥, and the concentration of 210㎍/㎥ to 960㎍/㎥ was exceeded in four places that exceeded the maintenance standard. The pollution concentration of TVOC was between 60㎍/㎥ and 3,350㎍/㎥, and the concentration of 790㎍/ ㎥ to 3350㎍/㎥ was exceeded in four places that exceeded the maintenance standard. 1)
In this study, a Agro-Healing Virtual Reality Therapy System(AVRT) was developed and usability evaluation was conducted for general adults. A fragrance spraying system that can stimulate the sense of smell was separately developed, and an Unreal engine and an Oculus Quest 2 device were used. For the development of the AVRT, spatial elements were designed based on the actual farm used as a agro-healing farm, and objects and contents were implemented, scenario composition, and VR screens were designed and implemented. As a result of evaluating the usability of the general adult population, the usability of the AVRT was statistically significantly higher than that of 2D images in all items of user satisfaction, design feasibility, field application, and effectiveness. In addition, a similar level of usability was shown compared to the commercial VR game in actual use. The significance of this study is that it attempts to combine agro-healing farm and VR technology and presents information that can be used in the development of related systems in the future, from system design to implementation. 1)
