Public Participation Policies in Urban Open Space Planning - Focused on Park and Green Space Master Plans of Seoul, Incheon, Gwangju, and Daegu -

Urban open spaces are crucial public areas that ensure the safety and comfort of citizens. Effective creation and management of these spaces require consensus and cooperation among stakeholders, emphasizing procedural rationality. Open spaces are not just physical structures but cultural artifacts that reflect the desires and values of the citizens and require public participation. This study explores the institutional and policy frameworks for public participation in the creation of urban open spaces. It analyzes the institutional environment by examining relevant laws, executive orders, and initial studies on public participation in the Urban Comprehensive Planning and the Park and Green Space Master Plan. The study then analyzes the public participation policies in the Park and Green Space Master Plan of Seoul, Incheon, Gwangju, and Daegu. The basic plan of the park and green space in the four cities includes the concept of public participation. However, the public participation policies have two limitations. First, from a procedural standpoint, the public participation mandated by current laws is only a monotonous, one-time project. Second, from a content perspective, the communication materials directed at the target class and the step-by-step process for facilitating public participation are insufficient. Overall, while the policies for creating open spaces are improving, there is a pressing need for a comprehensive strategy to enhance both the process and content of citizen participation in the future.