Abstract
The purpose of this study is to seek a planning approach for children's museum within Korean context that promotes community participation. A literature review method and a field survey method were used. Literature reviews on community participation paradigm, residents' participation and donation networks in community regeneration processes, and finally on case studies on children's museum in Korea were carried out. Through the field survey on Chicago Children's Museum(CCM) located in downtown Chicago, its role was identified as networking systems of community participation and donation and was verified as a socio-physical base for vitalizing donation culture that is an active and a leading community participation method. As a result, CCM has engaged many partnerships with city organizations and local schools to provide diverse and unique programs that are not only targeted to children but also parents, teachers and visitors. Also, an evolution of CCM through various types of donations and community participation was delineated. CCM was found successfully in restoring community spirit and vitalizing economical growth where it once was a decayed city area. Rather than focusing on descriptive technique of typical children's museum, this study explored how community fabric is made and acted out, through rethinking community participation's value, and how it can influence a physical space. CCM, as a good example of community participatory museum, the results can be used as a reference in planning and directing community participation based children's museums in Korea. It is significant to shed light on children's museum as an opportunity of social space which can empower community.
