Environmental Evaluation for Immigrant Enclave in Industrial Complex Hinterland

Growing labor shortages and rural aging in South Korea have contributed to the expansion of immigrant enclaves in the hinterlands of industrial complexes. This study investigates two immigrant enclaves in Gumi industrial complex hinterland, by analyzing native residents’ perceptions and evaluating the residential environment through CPTED-based field assessments. Survey results indicated neutral attitudes toward immigrants and low levels of interaction, suggesting limited social integration despite minimal hostility. Environmental evaluations revealed common issues, including unclear territorial boundaries, inadequate maintenance, poor waste management, and disordered public spaces. Although structural deterioration was not severe, the physical setting lacked elements that support informal social control and collective responsibility. From the perspectives of social disorganization and group conflict theories, the findings suggest that environmental neglect in immigrant enclaves contributes to social fragmentation and undermines community cohesion. In response, the study proposes two policy directions: (1) integrating visual design elements—such as landscaping, signage, and defined spatial boundaries—to foster a sense of responsibility for shared spaces; and (2) implementing targeted educational programs on waste separation and public hygiene for immigrant residents, alongside consistent enforcement against illegal dumping, to cultivate shared norms and collective accountability.