본문 바로가기
  • Home
Basic Search

Keyword, Definitions, and Diagnoses of Shrinking Cities in South Korea as Reflected in Past Studies

LEE JUNG EUN 1,  Yunmi Park 2,  김민주 1

1서울대학교 건설환경공학부
2서울대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

In South Korea, academic and policy discussions on shrinking cities have increased, but unified definitions and diagnostic criteria have yet to mature. This study analyzed five years of research from South Korea to review how scholars define “Korean Shrinking Cities.” In particular, papers that include terms like ‘shrinking city,’ ‘declining city,’ and ‘local extinction’ were analyzed. Despite all of them referring to cities experiencing population decline, nuances exist. ‘Shrinking city’ accentuates opportunity with future adjustments, while ‘Declining city’ addresses the decay of space and urban functions, and ‘Local extinction’ relates to the loss of self-sustainability in small- and medium-sized cities or rural areas. The concept of “Korean Shrinking Cities” encompasses these varied characteristics. Although the definitions vary, the diagnosis metrics rely largely on population indicators and legal standards, emphasizing the need for diversification in the criteria. As the issues linked with shrinking cities are complicated and diverse, including economic downturns, job losses, or fiscal challenges, future studies should carefully use the appropriate terms and develop measurements based on their research goals. The outcomes of this research are expected to provide a valuable foundation for future scholars engaging with shrinking cities in South Korea

Statistics

  • 487 Viewed
  • 372 Downloaded

Tools

Issue List

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.

This paper was written with support from the National Research Foundation of Korea.
Basic Search Advanced Search