This study examines strategies for developing compact cities centered around railway stations to address population decline and urban functionality challenges amid Korea's low birth rate and aging society. Drawing on Japan's compact city initiatives, ...
This study examines strategies for developing compact cities centered around railway stations to address population decline and urban functionality challenges amid Korea's low birth rate and aging society. Drawing on Japan's compact city initiatives, it explores policies and spatial planning methods that integrate public transportation systems with urban functions to create efficient and livable environments. Railway stations, traditionally transportation hubs, are redefined as regional revitalization centers. The study analyzes “station-town spaces” (eki-machi) in various urban contexts, such as central urban areas, suburban zones, and regional cities, to understand compact city implementation.
Findings indicate that Japan's compact cities boost economic activity through mixed-use development, enhance public transport accessibility, reduce car dependency, and support greener urban living. Additionally, they optimize service distribution, contributing to local fiscal health.
In conclusion, Korea should adopt a compact city model centered on railway stations to prepare for population decline. This requires a clear, regionally tailored direction and a bottom-up planning approach incorporating diverse stakeholder input to build an economically and socially sustainable urban structure for the future.