Korean Urban Research Articles

Studying Essential Assets and Startup Communities of Korean Urban Innovation Districts

Studying Essential Assets and Startup Communities of Korean Urban Innovation Districts

Ecological Interpretation of Regional Elements in the Design of Local and Korean Urban Public Facilities

In the planning and construction of modern city, how to highlight the regional elements of the city and show the ecological design of the city has become the key content. Public facility design is an important part of urban construction. On the one hand, it is directly related to the public life, and on the other hand, it is closely related to the urban context and future development. Based on this, this paper mainly discusses the regional elements and ecological interpretation in the design of urban public facilities in our country and South Korea, aiming to provide reference for the subsequent design. To answer our research question, we begin by constructing a sample of all Chinese non- financial firms listed in the A-share market between 2007 and 2018 (n=29,181). We obtain financial statement data from the China Stock Market and Accounting Research (CSMAR) database. We obtain individual audit partner’s demographic information, such as gender and educational background, from the Chinese Research Data Services CARD database and the China Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CICPA) website. We lose 1,674 observations because we cannot find the signing auditor’s demographic information needed in the Heckman’s model and PSM; we further delete 4,783 observations because they do not have enough firm financial data to compute the variables used in our empirical tests; we exclude 672 observations because the annual reports are signed with three auditor signatures. Our final sample consists of 22,052 firm-year observations.

A Study of Factors Influencing Quality of Life among Community Dwelling Elderly in Korean Urban Community

AbstractBackgroundWe examined the factors influencing quality of life among community dwelling elderly in Busan city.MethodThe subjects of this research were 160 community‐dwelling elderly people without dementia and major depressive disorder. Korean version of World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment instrument‐Abbreviated form (WHOQOL‐BREF), Korean version of Short Geriatric Depression Scale (SGDS‐K) and Korean version of MiniMental State Examination (K‐MMSE) were administered for each subject. Low quality of life was defined as below 60 points of WHOQOL‐BREF.ResultThe high quality of life group showed higher score of MMSE, lower score of GDS‐K, higher educational level and married status. About a third of the subjects complained about low quality of life. In the low quality of life group, there were significant associations between quality of life and SGDS‐K (p<0.001), but there was no association with education (p = 0.708), marital status (p = 0.410), and K‐MMSE (p = 0.683).ConclusionDepressive disorders including minor depressive disorder and subsyndromal depression, might play a role in the quality of life rather than cognitive impairments in community‐dwelling elderly people. Therefore, the treatments for the depressive mood should be considered in dealing with low quality of life.

Computed Tomography-Derived Skeletal Muscle Radiodensity Predicts Peak Weight-Corrected Jump Power in Older Adults: The Korean Urban Rural Elderly (KURE) Study.

Computed tomography (CT)-derived skeletal muscle area (SMA) and skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD) reflect distinctive quantitative and qualitative characteristics of skeletal muscles. However, data on whether CT-based muscle parameters, especially SMD, can predict muscle function is limited. In a prospective cohort, 1523 community-dwelling older adults who underwent abdominal CT scans and the countermovement two-legged jumping test on a ground reaction force platform were analyzed (mean age 74.7years, 65.1% women). SMA and SMD were measured at third lumbar vertebra level (L3). Individuals with low jump power (peak weight-corrected jump power < 23.8W/kg in men and < 19.0W/kg in women using clinically validated threshold) were older; had lower SMA, SMD, and maximal grip strength values; and had lower chair rise test and timed up and go test performance than those without low jump power. SMD was positively associated with peak weight-corrected jump power (adjusted β = 0.33 and 0.23 per 1 HU increase in men and women, respectively, p < 0.001). One HU decrement in SMD was associated with 10% elevated odds of low jump power (adjusted OR [aOR] 1.10, p < 0.001) after adjusting for age, sex, height, inflammation, and insulin resistance markers, whereas the association of SMA with low jump power was attenuated (aOR 1.00, p = 0.721). SMD showed better discrimination for low jump power than SMA (AUC 0.699 vs. 0.617, p < 0.001), with additional improvement when added to SMA and conventional risk factors (AUC 0.745 to 0.773, p < 0.001). Therefore, CT-measured L3 SMD can be a sensitive surrogate marker for muscle function along with SMA in older adults, which merits further investigation.

Extraction of spatial genetic characteristics and analysis of 1930s Korean Urban Hanok based on application of space syntax

ABSTRACT This paper presents an analysis of an Urban Hanok (improved Korean traditional housing), created in the process of Seoul’s urbanization since the 1930s as anew housing type from traditional Hanoks, using aspace syntax methodology to uncover the underlying genotype. The genotype of the Urban Hanok plan layout, originating from the urban residential areas organized in the 1930s, was analyzed and compared. The results indicate that the Madang-centered organization is the underlying spatial structure of the 1930s Urban Hanok. Diachronic examination of the sample in terms of sectoral differentiation has identified three groups: (a) the house organized with three central spaces (Madang– Daecheong– Deamungan or stairs), (b) the house organized with three central spaces (Madang– Mediation Space– Daecheong), and (c) the house organized with two central spaces (Madang– Sarang Madang). When converted to aJustified graph, group (a) is classified into aTree-Shape, and an Umbrella-Shape, group (b) is classified into an extended Tree-Shape, and group (c) is classified into aRing-Shape. Characteristics of the spatial structure in the Urban Hanok layout and their meanings were identified through this research. The implication of the Madang-centered layout type, most common in Urban Hanoks.

Assessment of Radionuclide Deposition on Korean Urban Residential Area

Background: An important lesson learned from the Fukushima accident is that the transition to the mid- and long-term phases from the emergency-response phase requires less than a year, which is not very long. It is necessary to know how much radioactive material has been deposited in an urban area to establish mid- and long-term countermeasures after a radioactive accident. Therefore, an urban deposition model that can indicate the site-specific characteristics must be developed. Materials and Methods: In this study, the generalized urban deposition velocity and the subsequent variation in radionuclide contamination were estimated based on the characteristics of the Korean urban environment. Furthermore, the application of the obtained generalized deposition velocity in a hypothetical scenario was investigated. Results and Discussion: The generalized deposition velocities of 137Cs, 106Ru, and 131I for each residence type were obtained using three-dimensional (3D) modeling. For all residence types, the deposition velocities of 131I are greater than those of 106Ru and 137Cs. In addition, we calculated the generalized deposition velocities for each residential types. Iodine was the most deposited nuclide during initial deposition. However, the concentration of iodine in urban environment drastically decreases owing to its relatively shorter half-life than 106Ru and 137Cs. Furthermore, the amount of radioactive material deposited in nonresidential areas, especially in parks and schools, is more than that deposited in residential areas. Conclusion: In this study, the generalized urban deposition velocities and the subsequent deposition changes were estimated for the Korean urban environment. The 3D modeling was performed for each type of urban residential area, and the average deposition velocity was obtained and applied to a hypothetical accident. Based on the estimated deposition velocities, the decision- making systems can be improved for responding to radioactive contamination in urban areas. Furthermore, this study can be useful to predict the radiological dose in case of large-scale urban contamination and can support decision-making for long-term measurement after nuclear accident.

Defining an international cut-off of two-legged countermovement jump power for sarcopenia and dysmobility syndrome

SummaryWe aimed to establish jump power cut-offs for the composite outcome of either sarcopenia (EWGSOP2) or dysmobility syndrome using Asian and Caucasian cohorts. Estimated cut-offs were sex specific (women: < 19.0 W/kg; men: < 23.8 W/kg) but not ethnicity specific. Jump power has potential to be used in definitions of poor musculoskeletal health.PurposeWeight-corrected jump power measured during a countermovement jump may be a useful tool to identify individuals with poor musculoskeletal health, but no cut-off values exist. We aimed to establish jump power cut-offs for detecting individuals with either sarcopenia or dysmobility syndrome.MethodsAge- and sex-matched community-dwelling older adults from two cohorts (University of Wisconsin-Madison [UW], Korean Urban Rural Elderly cohort [KURE], 1:2) were analyzed. Jump power cut-offs for the composite outcome of either sarcopenia defined by EWGSOP2 or dysmobility syndrome were determined.ResultsThe UW (n = 95) and KURE (n = 190) cohorts were similar in age (mean 75 years) and sex distribution (68% women). Jump power was similar between KURE and UW women (19.7 vs. 18.6 W/kg, p = 0.096) and slightly higher in KURE than UW in men (26.9 vs. 24.8 W/kg, p = 0.050). In UW and KURE, the prevalence of sarcopenia (7.4% in both), dysmobility syndrome (31.6% and 27.9%), or composite of either sarcopenia or dysmobility syndrome (32.6% and 28.4%) were comparable. Low jump power cut-offs for the composite outcome differed by sex but not by ethnicity (< 19.0 W/kg in women; < 23.8 W/kg in men). Low jump power was associated with elevated odds of sarcopenia (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.07), dysmobility syndrome (aOR 4.32), or the composite of sarcopenia or dysmobility syndrome (aOR 4.67, p < 0.01 for all) independent of age, sex, height, and ethnicity.ConclusionSex-specific jump power cut-offs were found to detect the presence of either sarcopenia or dysmobility syndrome in older adults independent of Asian or Caucasian ethnicity.

SUN-390 Computed Tomography Derived Skeletal Muscle Radiodensity Is Better Predictor of Muscle Power Than Skeletal Muscle Area in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Computed tomography (CT) derived skeletal muscle area (SMA) and muscle radiodensity (SMD) reflect distinctive quantitative, qualitative characteristics of skeletal muscle. Peak jump power reflects the ability to exert force within a limited time, which has greater relationship with mobility and risk of falls. CT-based SMA and SMD may have potential as useful surrogates for muscle function. However, the association of CT-based muscle parameters, especially SMD, with peak jump power has not been investigated yet. Community-dwelling older adults enrolled in the Korean Urban Rural Elderly study from 2016 to 2018 underwent abdominal CT scans and countermovement two-legged jumping test on ground reaction force platform. SMA and SMD were measured at CT images at L3 vertebral level. Mean age of 1523 patients was 74.7 years and 65.1% was female. For peak jump force, L3SMA was stronger contributing factor than SMD (standardized beta of SMA vs. SMD = 0.16 vs. 0.08 for men; 0.12 vs. 0.05 for women; p < 0.05 for all). However, SMD was a better indicator of peak jump power compared to SMA in both sexes (standardized beta of SMD vs. SMA = 0.21 vs. 0.17 for men; 0.15 vs. 0.13 for women; p < 0.05 for all). These associations remained robust even after adjustment for age, height, weight, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, and insulin resistance. One standard deviation decrease of SMD was associated with 8% elevated odds of low jump power relative to weight after adjustment for potential confounders (adjusted OR = 1.08, p < 0.001), whereas the association between SMA and low jump power was attenuated. SMD improved discrimination for individuals with low jump power when added to SMA and conventional risk factors (Area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve 0.732 to 0.750, p=0.006). SMD was an independent predictor of jump power with additive discriminatory value to SMA and conventional risk factors. Our findings suggest the potential complimentary role of SMD as muscle quality indicator beyond muscle mass as a surrogate for muscle function.

A Study on Setting Disaster-Prevention Rainfall by Rainfall Duration in Urban Areas Considering Natural Disaster Damage: Focusing on South Korea

Inundation damage occurs in urban regions due to short flood reach time and increased surface runoff caused by urbanized impervious areas. Furthermore, heavy rainfall frequency has increased because of climate change, thus exceeding the design frequency and resulting in sewer pipes’ lack of flood control capacity, with damage expanding from low-lying areas. Despite many urban disaster-mitigation policies, complex causes and uncertainties make reducing urban inundation damage difficult. This study established a rainfall-related disaster-prevention standard by time duration considering rainfall characteristics targeting urban disaster-induced inundation damage. Based on the South Korean urbanization rate and population, seven target regions were selected. Rainfall by time duration was analyzed with respect to disaster length (number of days) from 2010–2017. The average rainfall for durations from 1–24 h were analyzed according to disaster length (1–13 days). Using the results, an equation was proposed for rainfall estimation by length of disaster resulting in urban inundation damage, through multiple regression analysis. An equation was developed for rainfall-related disaster-prevention in urban areas considering the length of disaster and rainfall duration. This was accomplished by selecting a duration whereby the average rainfall of duration corresponded to 50% of total rainfall during the disaster period.

Cohort profile: Korean Urban Rural Elderly (KURE) study, a prospective cohort on ageing and health in Korea

PurposeThe Korean Urban Rural Elderly (KURE) cohort was initiated to study the epidemiologic characteristics, physical performance, laboratory and imaging biomarkers and incidence of age-related diseases in an elderly population with...

한국 도시철도기관 경영평가지표 개선에 대한 연구

경영평가는 경영개선 유도를 위해 기관 본연의 특성이 평가지표에 반영되어야 하고 공정하고 객관적인 평가방법이 전제되어야 한다. 그러나 현재 도시철도운영기관의 경영평가제도는 이를 충족하지 못한다는 비판이 있어 문제점을 살펴볼 필요가 있다. 본 연구에서는 경영평가지표의 문제점을 분석하고 개선방안을 제시하고자 한다. 대표적인 해외 핵심성과지표와 비교하여 현재 도시철도기관 경영평가지표의 배점, 평가지표 설정, 평가방법의 문제점을 살펴보고, 평가결과가 외부요인에 따라 결정되는 것은 아닌지 검증하기 위해 최근 5년간 (2013년~2017년) 평가결과와 규모등 외부요인 간의 상관관계를 분석한다. 그리고 문제점을 해결하기 위해 지표 신설 및 평가방법 수정을 통한 개선방안을 제시하고자 한다. 다만, 개선지표를 이용한 평가 시뮬레이션이 불가하다는 점이 한계다.

일본 컴팩트 도시 정책의 한계와 국내 도시 정책에 대한 시사점: 도야마와 아오모리를 사례로

일본 컴팩트 도시 정책의 한계와 국내 도시 정책에 대한 시사점: 도야마와 아오모리를 사례로

Associations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D with metabolic syndrome and its components in elderly men and women: the Korean Urban Rural Elderly cohort study

BackgroundMany studies have investigated the association between vitamin D and metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, few studies have investigated the association stratified by sex in the elderly. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the association between vitamin D, MetS, and its components in Korean elderly men and women.MethodsA total of 987 men and 1949 women aged ≥65 years were recruited through Korean Urban Rural Elderly cohort study. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were categorized into 4 quartiles and all data were analyzed separately by sex. MetS was defined by the revised criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III.ResultsThe participants in the lowest quartile of serum 25(OH)D showed a significant increase in the prevalence of high waist circumference, elevated triglyceride level, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, as well as MetS itself, in both men and women in a univariate analysis. After adjusting for potential confounders including age, smoking status, drinking status, exercise status, region of residence, seasonality, and parathyroid hormone level, the lowest 25(OH)D quartile group was associated with a higher risk of MetS (odds ratio [OR] 2.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.48–3.43 in men and OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.27–2.16 in women) compared to the highest 25(OH)D quartile group as the reference group. However, no significant association was found between serum 25(OH)D levels and the prevalence of MetS components including hyperglycemia or hypertension in both men and women.ConclusionsLow 25(OH)D levels were associated with increased odds of MetS; in particular, they were associated with MetS components of high waist circumference, hypertriglyceridemia, and low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, after adjusting for age, smoking, alcohol, exercise, region of residency, and seasonality, in men and women over 65 years old.

Spatio-temporal Characteristics of the Frequency of Weather Types and Analysis of the Related Air Quality in Korean Urban Areas over a Recent Decade (2007-2016)

Spatio-temporal Characteristics of the Frequency of Weather Types and Analysis of the Related Air Quality in Korean Urban Areas over a Recent Decade (2007-2016)

The Influence of Daily Social Interaction and Physical Activity on Daily Happiness of Korean Urban Older Adults

The Influence of Daily Social Interaction and Physical Activity on Daily Happiness of Korean Urban Older Adults

Elevated Red Blood Cell Distribution Width Is Associated with Morphometric Vertebral Fracture in Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Independent of Anemia, Inflammation, and Nutritional Status: The Korean Urban Rural Elderly (KURE) Study.

Elevated red blood cell distribution width (RDW), a simple measure of red blood cell size heterogeneity, has been associated with increased mortality and morbidity in the elderly population, which might reflect systemic inflammation and malnutrition. However, whether elevated RDW is associated with prevalent morphometric vertebral fracture (VF) in older adults has not been investigated. We examined 2127 individuals (mean age 71.7years; women 66%) from a community-based cohort. VF was defined as ≥ 25% reduction in vertebral column height using the Genant semiquantitative method. Multiple VF was defined as the presence of VF at two or more sites. The prevalence of any VF and multiple VF was 14% and 4%, respectively, increasing from the lowest to the highest RDW tertiles (12-18% and 3-6%, p for trend < 0.05 for all). RDW was positively associated with age, body mass index (BMI), malnutrition, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), whereas it was negatively associated with albumin, hemoglobin, and ferritin levels. Elevated RDW was associated with any VF [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.26; p = 0.008] and multiple VF (aOR 1.36; p = 0.010) after adjustment for covariates, including age, sex, BMI, hsCRP, malnutrition, self-reported previous fracture, falls, osteoporosis, and hemoglobin and ferritin levels. The association between elevated RDW and VF remained robust in subgroups with (aOR 1.39; p = 0.048) or without anemia (aOR 1.26; p = 0.030). Elevated RDW was associated with prevalent morphometric VF in community-dwelling elderly individuals, independent of anemia, inflammation, and nutritional status.

Public Value of Enforcing the PM2.5 Concentration Reduction Policy in South Korean Urban Areas

As the number of cars and the electricity produced from coal-fired generation has been increasing, PM2.5, particles smaller than 2.5 μm in diameter, has become a serious problem in South Korean urban areas. This is especially notable, given that the PM2.5 warning was issued 89 times during 2016. Because of this, the South Korean government is seeking to enforce a policy of reducing the number of PM2.5 warnings by half using various policy instruments from now until 2022. This article tries to obtain information about the public value of the enforcement. For this purpose, household willingness to pay (WTP) for the enforcement is investigated, applying the contingent valuation (CV) approach. A survey of 1000 households was carried out in South Korean urban areas. The data on the WTP were gathered using a dichotomous choice question and analyzed employing the spike model. The mean WTP estimate is obtained as KRW 5591 (USD 4.97) per household per year, which is statistically significant. The total public value expanded to the population amounts to KRW 98.9 billion (USD 87.8 million) per year. The information can be utilized in policy-making and decision-making about the reduction of the PM2.5 concentration.

Low peak jump power is associated with elevated odds of dysmobility syndrome in community-dwelling elderly individuals: the Korean Urban Rural Elderly (KURE) study.

Dysmobility syndrome was proposed to encompass the risks affecting musculoskeletal outcomes. Jump power measurement is a safe, reproducible high-intensity test for physical function in elderly. However, the relationship between jump power and dysmobility syndrome remains unknown. A total of 1369 subjects (mean 71.6years; women, 66%) were analyzed from a community-based cohort. Dysmobility syndrome was defined as the presence of ≥ 3 factors among falls in the preceding year, low lean mass, high fat mass, osteoporosis, low grip strength, and low timed get-up-and-go (TUG) performance. Subjects were grouped into tertiles of jump power relative to weight based on sex-stratified cutoffs (32.4 and 27.6W/kg in men; 23.9 and 19.9W/kg in women) or into the failed-to-jump group. The prevalence of dysmobility syndrome was 20% overall, increasing from the highest (T1) to lowest (T3) jump power tertile (1, 11, 15% in men; 11, 16, 39% in women) and the failed-to-jump group (39% in men; 48% in women). Low jump power or failed-to-jump was associated with elevated odds of dysmobility syndrome (T3 vs. T1, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.35, p < 0.001; failed-to-jump vs. T1, aOR 7.60, p < 0.001) and its components including falls, low lean mass, high fat mass, and poor TUG performance but not osteoporosis after adjustment for covariates. Jump power modestly discriminated dysmobility syndrome (area under the curve [AUC], 0.71, p < 0.001), which improved discriminatory performance when added to conventional risk factors (AUC, from 0.75 to 0.79, p < 0.001). Low peak jump power was associated with elevated odds of dysmobility syndrome and its components, independent of age and comorbidities.

Contingent association between the size of the social support network and osteoporosis among Korean elderly women.

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between the number of personal ties (or the size of the social support network) and the incidence of osteoporosis among older women in Korea.MethodsData from the Korean Urban Rural Elderly Study were used. Bone density was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the lumbar spine (L1–L4) and femur neck. T-score, the standardized bone density compared with what is normally expected in a healthy young adult, was measured and the presence of osteoporosis was determined, if the T-score was < -2.5. The social support network size was measured by self-responses (number of confidants and spouse).ResultsOf the 1,846 participants, 44.9% were diagnosed with osteoporosis. The association between the social support network size and the incidence of osteoporosis was curvilinear in both bivariate and multivariate analyses. Having more people in one’s social support network size was associated with lower risk of osteoporosis until it reached around four. Increasing the social support network size beyond four, in contrast, was associated with a higher risk of osteoporosis. This association was contingent on the average intimacy level of the social network. At the highest average intimacy level (“extremely close”), increasing the number of social support network members from one to six was associated with linear decrease in the predicted probability of osteoporosis from 45% to 30%. However, at the lowest average intimacy level (“not very close”), the predicted probability of osteoporosis dramatically increased from 48% to 80% as the size of the social network increased from one to six.ConclusionOur results show that maintaining a large and intimate social support network is associated with a lower risk of osteoporosis among elderly Korean women, while a large but less-intimate social relationship is associated with a higher risk.

한국도시지리학회지 게재 논문으로 본 도시지리 연구의 주제와 과제: 1998~2016년

한국도시지리학회지 게재 논문으로 본 도시지리 연구의 주제와 과제: 1998~2016년