An analysis of the process of Daegu Transit Mall Project in terms of policy network

Abstract

Recognizing the seriousness of global warming, various policies transforming an energy-consuming city into a low-carbon green city are being introduced. Among them, transit oriented urban development is a kind of policy realizing fundamental energy saving through reorganizing urban forms and spatial structures. Daegu City implemented a transit mall in its downtown area in order to transform the city from car-oriented to transit-oriented, and other cities are also planning to install transit malls. In this study, the policy process of Daegu Transit Mall Project (DTMP) was analyzed from the policy network perspective. In this analysis, the issues raised during the policy process were identified and the process of policy implementation through interactions among stakeholders and network structures were studied. A number of stakeholders were involved in the transit mall project. Interactions among policy actors occurred individually around Daegu City, the project leader and central operating body. In addition, the types of interactions are formed in conflict rather than cooperation. Network structure in policy phase I was horizontal, but developed a horizontal and vertical structure as the project was further planned and implemented. The following policy implications were derived through the analysis of DTMP: (1) a policy coordinating committee is required to coordinate the ongoing management and operation of the project; (2) in order to achieve the policy goal – cutting car use and increasing public transport use – public-transit promotion policy should be accompanied with the transit mall installation; (3) building a collaborative network among stakeholders and relevant departments is required to vitalize the market.