KWDI Korean Women’s Development Institute

 

Abstract

Gender-sensitive Analysis of Key National Agendas and Improvement Palns(I): New Deal Project for Urban Regeneration

Yoo-Jin Choi

Yun-Young Nam-Gung

Sol Lee

Jeong-Yeon Nam

Yumi Im

Hye-Young Cheong

 

Urban regeneration in Korea has been promoted since 2013. In 2017, the new Presidential Agenda further strengthened socio-cultural dimensions in the direction of urban regeneration. In other words, the emphasis is now on "heart-warming regeneration", where to establish a governance system involving various actors including local residents. Therefore, the project is to improve old towns and deteriorated residential areas into sustainable living area.

This study aims to examine whether the Urban Regeneration New Deal Project is operating under the guidelines of considering gender and social classes so that it can contribute to improving the lives of local residents with different economic and social conditions. This will find ways to mitigate the influence of women’s marginal role in community development and seek ways to alleviate the influence of traditional gender role when executing the local community development program. And find ways to establish itself as a sustainable community operate even after the Urban Regeneration New Deal Project wraps-up.

In order to carry out the research, first, literature review was done on inclusive city. Second, survey on the status of project implementation for 76 urban regeneration support organizations by type was carried out, which includes Saving Our Neighborhood(15 cases), Residential Support(17 cases), and General Neighborhood(44 cases). Third, survey on the needs of residential and basic living infrastructure and participation and evaluation of residents in 46 areas approved for the Urban Regeneration New Deal Project in 2017 and 2018(as of April, 2019) was executed. Finally, in-depth interviews were conducted with participants and stakeholder in regeneration project.

As a result, in order to create an inclusive city that can contribute to evenly improving the lives of local residents with different socio- conomic conditions, this study proposes following ways to enhance the Urban Regeneration New Deal Project.

As to assess the composition of urban regeneration project(unit projects such as housing, basic living structure, jobs and residents' capacity building), expectation and needs, first, the scope of “Basic Living Infrastructure” was revised in 2019 to enhance the quality of life for the residents. Although care and medical facilities and minimum standards have been strengthened in village facilities, it is necessary to add pedestrian convenience requirements to reflect the residents' demand. In addition, there is a need to diversify care facilities to reflect the needs of preschool and school children care programs other than daycare centers and kindergartens.

Second, it is necessary to reflect the needs of the public by adding vocational training facilities to local-based facilities or when supplying the areas with muti-fuctional facilities(complex), it is important to improve vocational training and job placement functions and start-up support.

Third, other than just day care centers, it is necessary to include care for preschoolers and school children, counseling facilities, and employment support functions to be included in the of Basic Living Infrastructure and National Minimum Standards(National Urban Regeneration Basic Policy[Annex 2]).

Next, the study analyzed the gender composition and participation status of the official urban regeneration project promotion system. First, the issue of women's representation in the promotion organization should be actively resolved. Second, it is necessary to actualize job composition so that an intermediary support organization (urban regeneration site support center), which connects administration with citizens or local communities, can contribute substantially to improving the social and economic environment of the residents. Third, in order for the interdepartmental cooperation project to be successful, the departmental cooperation must be reflected in the performance evaluation. Fourth, in addition to providing welfare services through social economic organizations, it is necessary to link public services through Basic Living Infrastruction. In addition, women's policy departments should be formed and operated in the administrative councils so that women's village networks could flourish without being narrowed down to the village level.

In developing an action plan, first, it is necessary to evaluate the main grounds for judging the 'deterioration' index when selecting the current urban regeneration areas. The main grounds for determining the success of the project process and the result evaluation should be focused on 'increasing population' or improving quality of life. Second, projects such as the establishment of basic living infrastructure, housing welfare and job creation need to be based on an in-depth survey on living conditions such as work and care, and housing and safety of local residents. Third, regional status diagnosis needs to be promoted including the following factors such as population growth, population and household composition, gender, age, and income level access to public support which could improve the quality of life, and the current status of relational resources and activities in the community. Fourth(according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation), social integration projects needs to include life-related projects such as accessing public services to the poor, expanding social relations, and improving the living environment.