Spatial problems of Korea -A delphi survey-

國土管理의 方向定立을 위한 國土診斷 -專門家 集團의 問題意識을 中心으로-

The spatial structure of Korea has been changed drastically during the second half of this century. The events such as the Korean War and the resultant division of the Korean Peninsular into two Koreas, rapid industrialization and urbanization are the major causes among others for the spatial changes of the nation. The changes in turn have spawned a number of spatial problems. It is time, we argue, to diagnose how much the nation is now ill-structured, and to discuss of which directions the long-term spatial management be reoriented. A delphi survey was conducted during the early 1993 to fulfill such research needs. Questionnaires were distributed among geographers, planners, and high governmental officials throughout the nation. These 'experts of spatial problems' were requested to evaluate the past spatial policies and strategies, and to identify spatial and environmental problems at the national, regional and local levels. The survey included questions with regard to the spatial problems in North Korea too. A complementary literature survey in the fields of spatial sciences was accomplished as well in order to identify the major research interests and issues with regard to the nations's spatial structure. The delphi survey results indicatee that the present spatial structure: in relation to consumption, housing and economic activities is satisfactory in overall, while rather poor in terms of education, leisure and community activities. Most of the experts consider infrastructural improvements are urgent in the areas of roads, waste disposal facilitles, railroads, harbors, water supply and drainage systems. The over-concentration of economic, social and political function in the Seoul Metropolitan Region is perceived to be the most serious spatial problem in Korea. The long-term solutions suggested are strategies toward a more balanced regional development as well as toward a cleaner environment. The concensus among the experts for the short-term solution is the redistribution of population and industries from the Seoul Metropolitan Region to the intermediate and small cities. The land use policies and concurrent large-scale infrastructural projects are evaluated largely pertinent and desirable in general. It is, however, suggested that development projects be conducted in a more harmonious way with environment. The survey respondents suggest that the present environmental management policies should be reexamined critically. With regard to regional and local problems, transportation and pollutions are thought to be most serious in the Seoul Metropolitan Region, while employment opportunities, and information, education and health care services are most deprived in small cities and rural areas. The majority of the experts consider a city size of 250, 000-500, 000 population is desirable to live within. Respondents beileve that North Korea's physical environment is still not aggravated much whereas its infrastructural provisions are largely pool. The co-authors of this research figure a "environmentaly sound and spatially balanced Korean Penninsular" as the ideal type of spatial structure in Korea. The basic guidelines toward this ideal prototype are suggested: the recovery of spetial integrity, progressive restructuring of the nation, land uses geared to public welfare rather than private interests, and eco-humanistic approach in spatial policies.

본 연구는 국토관리의 기본방향을 정립하기 위한 기초 연구로서 국토 전반에 걸쳐 문제의 현 상황을 파악하고자 하였다. 이를 위해 국토문제에 관심을 가지는 전문가 집단을 대상으로 국토정책, 취락계층별 문제, 정책 및 전략평가, 당면 지역문제, 국토환경, 북한에 대한 평가 등에 대한 델파이 조사를 행하였으며, 문헌조사도 병행하였다. 국토의 전체적인 수준은 소비, 주거, 노동 환등을 영위하는데 대체로 만족하나, 교육, 휴양, 공동 생활 등의 부문에서는 상대적으로 미흡하다고 평가되었다. 국토구조의 핵심문제로 공간적 집중과 격차 를 생각하고 있었으며, 토지이용의 기본방향에 대해서는 개발과 보전을 적절히 절충하자는 의견이 제시되었다. 국토 환경 수준에 대해서는 대체로 낮게 평가하고, 정부의 환경관리 정 책에 대해서도 비판적이었다. 한편 취락계층별로 상이한 공간문제를 갖고 있는 것으로 조사 되었다. 북한지역은 국토기반시설이 취약하지만 환경의 질은 양호한 것으로 인식되었다. 국 토의 바람직한 미래상으로는 "건강한 국토"를 제안하며, 그 기본원리로는 미래지향적 국토 관리, 국토의 일체성 회복, 국토구조의 진취적 개편, 국토이용에 있어서의 공공성 확보, 국토 관리 패러다임의 친환경적 전환 등이 요구된다.