This study examines public participation in the planning and implementation of open space projects from a communications perspective and explores effective communication structures and processes. Urban open spaces are essential environments for the da...
This study examines public participation in the planning and implementation of open space projects from a communications perspective and explores effective communication structures and processes. Urban open spaces are essential environments for the daily lives of the public. Hence, the process of planning and developing these spaces is a critical issue for local communities. Moreover, as open spaces significantly impact the economy, society, culture, and environment, it is necessary to ensure procedural rationality through consensus and agreement among residents and stakeholders. Consequently, public participation must be conducted effectively at appropriate stages in the planning and implementation of open spaces. This study examines public participation systems and cases in open space development and analyzes participatory open space cases from the perspective of public communication. Focusing on the Gwanghwamun Square Restructuring Project (GSRP), the study analyzes public participation and communication frameworks in the urban open spaces and identifies key agendas for communication structures and processes. Additionally, it proposes communication strategies for each development stage and communication purpose, forming a communication framework of public participation. Finally, this study categorizes the communication challenges that arise during the planning and implementation of open spaces and suggests applicable solutions. The development of open spaces must go through the different phases , from master planning, design development, and construction and supervision. These processes require decision-making on various spatial and non-spatial issues. It is essential that the planning of the physical space corresponds and interacts with communication planning in each phase. Given the constraints of limited resources and conditions, it is crucial to implement efficient public consultation and participation programs that ensure procedural objectivity. In this respect, the research questions are as follows: (1) What are the institutional and practical limitations of existing public participation in the open space planning process in Korea? (2) How can public participation and communication programs in the open space development process be interpreted from the perspective of public communication? (3) What communication frameworks can serve as a foundation for designing effective public participation in open space development? In this study, open space refers to outdoor public areas within urban environments that are accessible to residents daily, including parks and green areas established by public agencies using taxpayer funds. This research investigates the processes and outcomes of integrating public interests, needs, and values into the planning and implementation of urban open spaces. Specifically, it analyzes information dissemination, public consultation, alternative generation, and experiential engagement conducted by public agencies such as government agencies, public institutions, and civil society organizations, during the process of open space development. For the case study, this study selected GSRP, through which Gwanghwamun Square was transformed into a modern square in 2009 and underwent significant restructuring from 2016 to 2022 amid considerable controversy. This project, which claimed to involve public participation, has been officially documented by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, enabling evidence-based analysis. The restructuring process of Gwanghwamun Square is organized into varying phases, and the communication components of each public participation program are examined. Additionally, elements of public deliberation are applied to analyze the structure of public participation. Through this analysis, the characteristics of public participation and communication structures in the process of developing urban open spaces are identified. This study examines the public participation process and communication structures at three distinct levels. First, as a theoretical exploration, it summarizes the flow of discussions on urban space planning and public participation, along with the limitations due to relevant legislations and policies in Korea. Public participation in the development of open spaces is defined from the perspective of public communication. Additionally, the components of public participation are examined based on Harold Lasswell's Sender-Message-Channel-Receiver- Effect (SMCRE) Model. Next, a case study on GSRP demonstrates how the public participation process for this project was divided into stages based on turning points. The public participation and communication framework is analyzed using official documents, including press releases and explanatory materials produced by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Finally, based on the theoretical analysis and the case study, this study proposes communication frameworks for public participation in the development of open spaces. Specifically, the study presents practical strategies for communication structures and processes, focusing on cases that were implemented by the researcher. A review of the public participation system in the open space planning process reveals that the current legal standards for public participation are insufficient in ensuring procedural objectivity and legitimacy, thereby raising concerns that the process might remain tokenism at best. Additionally, the feedback mechanism for consolidating public opinion is also inadequate. While the master plans for parks and green spaces in major cities include the concept of public participation, the development of policy to implement this concept lags behind. Public participation and communication topics are limited at each phase of the open space development process, with a tendency to repeat specific public consultation methods. This indicates a lack of strategy for the public participation process and methods. From its initial installment in 2016 until 2022, the GSRP was presented by the government as a collaborative effort with citizens; however, the conditions for public participation were not adequately established. Furthermore, the disclosure of information and the systematic design of public participation content were found to be insufficient. The lack of communication methods reflecting the characteristics of each phase of development limited the effectiveness of public participation. There were insufficiencies in the provision for communication that supports public participation, in the disclosure of information on the implementation status of the project as well as the public participation process, and in the consideration of the particulars of each phase in terms of the contents and the methods of public participation. The analysis results reveals that the development phase and implementation objectives are identified as key agendas from the perspective of the communication structure. Open spaces are constructed in accordance with the physical space development phase. For communication results to be effectively reflected in the following phase of design, non-physical communication design and physical space design must be integrated in an organic manner. Public participation and communication plans should begin by clearly defining the purpose of participation. Since participation levels, communication content, and methods vary depending on the purpose, it is important to design communication strategies based on the specific goals of public participation. From the perspective of the communication process, both communication content and communication methods are identified as key agendas. Communication content encompasses the information provided to participants and the information collected from them. Communication strategies must categorize this content into spatial and non-spatial elements and reorganize it as data for the subsequent phase of communication. Communication methods necessitate channel design that considers the messages conveyed by the sender, as well as the characteristics and circumstances of the recipients. In the context of public participation, communication methods should transcend their elementary role as transmission and become a platform for interaction between the sender and the receiver. Based on these key agendas, the study establishes a communication framework that integrates content for each phase of development and methods for each implementation purpose. This framework has the following two characteristics. First, the content of communication is planned according to the specific phase in open space development. Spatial design and communication design are planned in an integrated manner to ensure that the outcomes of each phase can interact effectively with one another. As open spaces go through the phases of planning, design, and construction, the public participation and communication content required at each phase differ as follows: (1) The pre-planning phase: announcement of project rationale, assessment of spatial demand, and site reconnaissance; (2) The planning and design phases: site condition survey, definition of planning direction and strategy, and zoning layout and spatial design; and (3) The construction and supervision phases: engagement through experience of space. Second, public participation and communication methods are designed according to the specific objectives of the project. Using the GSRP case as an example, these methods can be categorized into four areas: information dissemination, public consultation, alternative generation, and experiential engagement. The appropriate communication strategies for each purpose are summarized as follows: (1) Information dissemination: information disclosure and sharing, and on-site documentation and archiving; (2) Public consultation: multiple feedback channels, and involvement of experts; (3) Alternative generation: development of space-use proposals and design direction guidelines; and (4) Experimental engagement: site preview and engagement activities. Building on this, the study categorizes the primary challenges that frequently arise in open space creation sites and proposes applicable strategies to address them: passive disclosure type, dispersed site-conflict type, disrupted continuous participation type, and delayed space creation type. This study summarizes the characteristics and problems of each challenge type and suggests methods for applying communication frameworks. Additionally, it discusses the necessity and application of a communication framework for public participation, the limitations imposed by domestic legislations and regulations, and the constraints based on practical conditions. The study also provides recommendations for improvement based on international case studies. This study aims to forge new connections between landscape planning and design, public participation practices and their significance, and communication theory and practice. In summary, this study identifies the structural and procedural elements necessary for public participation in the open space development process, emphasizing its role as a means of public communication rather than a collection of opinions. It highlights the importance of viewing public participation not only as a tool for ensuring procedural legitimacy but also as a fundamental aspect of public communication. However, the study is limited in its focus on a specific case — Gwanghwamun Square — and lacks a comparative analysis with other cases. The communication framework proposed in this study may be further supplemented and expanded through subsequent research, as there are numerous cases of public spaces nationwide that require further analysis and investigation in terms of their operational and management following open space development. Furthermore, enhancing legal and institutional frameworks related to public participation, developing communication strategies tailored to various types of open spaces, establishing archiving processes for participation-based open spaces, and designing governance structures for open space development are critical areas for future research.