| Title |
Development of a Data-Driven Evaluation Model for Prioritizing Closed School Utilization Considering Publicness and Regional Revitalization |
| Authors |
조유리(Cho, Yu-Ri) ; 이강주(Lee, Gahng-Ju) |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5659/JAIK.2026.42.5.95 |
| Keywords |
Publicness; Closed School; Revitalization of Closed School; Priority; Evaluation index; Public Architecture |
| Abstract |
Demographic changes, including population decline and rapid aging, have led to a steady increase in the number of closed public schools in
South Korea. Closed schools represent more than the discontinuation of educational facilities; they serve as symbolic and spatial anchors of
local communities. However, in the absence of systematic utilization strategies, current management practices have largely relied on sale- or
lease-oriented approaches, emphasizing asset management efficiency over public value. As a result, the issue of closed schools extends beyond
educational administration and is closely linked to the decline of local publicness, highlighting the need for an objective evaluation framework
that considers both public interest and efficiency. This study develops an objective priority-setting index designed to support both public value
and efficient utilization through clearly defined quantitative indicators. Based on previous domestic and international research, as well as
evaluation systems used in public architecture and urban development, a comprehensive evaluation framework was established, incorporating
economic feasibility, community relevance, and balanced regional development. The proposed index system was empirically tested using a
Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) approach, specifically the Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) method. An empirical analysis of
closed schools in Gyeongsangnam-do Province demonstrates that the model effectively distinguishes priority levels among sites and provides
objective evidence to support policy decisions related to public asset reuse. The significance of this study lies in the development of an
objective decision-making index for prioritizing the utilization of closed schools. By incorporating public value into a quantitative evaluation
framework, the study provides a practical basis for establishing efficient and publicly accountable priorities in the management of closed
school facilities. |