The primary purpose of the present study is three-fold: (i) to analyze the intricate nature of legal as well as institutional background of land use control system in Korea, (ii) to articulate both structural and operational problems pertinent to the ...
The primary purpose of the present study is three-fold: (i) to analyze the intricate nature of legal as well as institutional background of land use control system in Korea, (ii) to articulate both structural and operational problems pertinent to the system, and (iii) to propose a set of alternatives streamlining the current land use control machanism enhancing the efficiency and equity aspects of the system.
The land use control, in a broadly specified terms, is generally implied to publicly intervene possession, use, as well as transacion of private property for the sake of public intrest. The present study places special emphasis upon the manner in which the use of private property is controlled by zoning system which is a major type of land use control in Korea. Land use ordinances manifested in National Land Use and Management Law, Urban Planning Law, and Construction Law are comparatively reviewed. The nature of problems, legal and administrative, associated with zoning system are discussed in efficiency and equity context. An empirical analysis explaring the impact of zoning change upon land price is also attempted utilizing 282 sample parcels in the study area.
Several recommendations are proposed. First, to simplify the complex legal structure associated with land use control and its administration is strongly called for. Government bodies responsible for controlling specific types of land use tend to compete each other. A strong organizational effort and even an establishment of a new government organization seem to be needed to better orchestrate an efficient administration of land use control. A new concept of zoning should be developed and accomodated in the present system to minimize the intrinsic problems of inflexibe nature of current zoning structure. Finally, the procedure of land use control and administrative decision making power should be further decentralized. And a formal channel to reflect local intrests and to facilitate citizen participation in the process should be institutionalized corresponding to the new wave of local antonomy movement currently witnessed in Korea.