Background The recent downturn of the global economy, as well as that of the real estate market, is worsening the gaps between social classes, the fissure-of the society, or polarization between the rich and the poor, as the distance between the classes is becoming more and more difficult to overcome. Also, in terms of the use of public spaces, inequality is becoming permanent, resulting in gaps between classes in terms of their residential spaces becoming wider. Such conditions are feared to result in the loss of the potential and value of the urban spaces, which necessitate a longterm based, systematic solution. The purpose of this study is to examine related studies so far in Korea and other countries, the results of surveys on how the citizens of Seoul see equity in the use of public spaces, and the examination of the current status of such uses, with a view to identify a possible solution to improve the current situation and establish social equality in terms of the use of public spaces. Methods In this regard, the study was conducted with the following process. First, literature on equality in the use of public spaces was reviewed to summarize the requirements and characteristics for establishing equity in the use of public spaces. Second, the current policies and government initiatives to realize equity in the use of public spaces were reviewed, and a framework for evaluation was established. Third, with the well-known squares located in Seoul as the subjects, we surveyed the perspectives on social equity in the use of such spaces to identify possible directions for improvement. The results of these surveys were analyzed through frequency analyses of each factor that constitute the social equity of using such spaces and regression analysis on the level of satisfaction with regard to such factors. Fourth, the results of our investigations were summarized to identify a possible direction for improvement and the problems related to each factor in order to increase the level of social equity in the use of public spaces.Result For the airport use experience with positive, less diagnostic information, the participants watching it from the first person point of view evaluated it less positively than the participants watching a video game from the third person point of view. However, the opposite pattern was obtained for the airport use experience with negative, less diagnostic information; the former group evaluated it less negatively than the latter group. Result Due to the results of various development projects for public spaces, the volume of supply and facilities have expanded, which resulted in an increase in the level of functionality and convenience in using such public spaces. However, it turned out that the level of consideration for the socially disadvantaged, namely the handicapped, the elderly, and pregnant women, is still low, which entailed suggestions for improvement. In particular, in order to enhance the equality in opportunity, the required improvements included enhancement of the pedestrian spaces and guidance systems to ensure safety and convenience, as well as the building up of related programs and service facilities. Conclusion As a result of this study, the implications on directions and evaluation criteria for improving social equity in using public spaces are now suggested. Another implication of this study is believed to be that a direction for the design of public spaces was established in order to ensure equity in public spaces.
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Open Access
Aug 31, 2022
Yirui Hei + 4
