Direction of Development of Provincial Small to Mid-size Cities based on Reciprocal Ties

Dr. Pilsung Byun, Managing Director of KRIHS National Territorial Plan Assessment Center, Cha Eun-hae, KRIHS Researcher

Summary

□ Small to mid-size provincial cities remain on the fringe of national land policy.
- Lack of policy interest due to dearth of laws related to such cities and no official definition
- The general land development plan has proposed fostering small and mid-size provincial cities but a detailed action plan is lacking and no substantial foundation has been provided for a policy of “°regional happy living”± involving cooperation between such cities and nearby cities and counties.So autonomous organization operations by low-level local governments for regional development should focus on large cities and agricultural and fishing villages or rural areas.

□ Small to mid-size provincial cities suffer from population change, rapidly aging population, and difficulties in fiscal ability, income and jobs.

- The weaknesses of small to mid-size provincial cities are significant compared to those of small to mid-size cities around Seoul, and because ofdeclining populations and low economic growth, the internal characteristics of small to mid-size provincial cities are difficult to improve on.

□ A draft plan for basic development of small to mid-size provincial cities is needed given theirproblems of population decline and low economic growth.

- A city’s related properties are based on the flow and interactions with other cities, and a specific city’s urban system is not just a phase but also includes a relevant city and the geographically connecting city system.
- The internal elements of basic urban development can boost a city’s economy and improve quality of life through intra-city cooperation based on creating an economy of scale from reciprocal ties.

Policy Plan
① Rather than foster the development of individual cities, small to mid-size provincial cities and nearby large cities and other cities and counties should strive to form and stimulate reciprocal relations with the intent toward mid- to long-term developmentto create a venue for geographic connection and ultimately foster qualitative development throughout the country’s urban systems.
② Through intra-city cooperation, a common values network with qualitative maintenance and management at the national level is needed in the process of creating an economy of scale, as well as deciding on a response level for tackling population decrease.
③ To analyze data on cooperation at the intra-city level, national support is needed for index and technique development.
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