| Title |
Identifying Civic Participation Levels of Pohang Railway Regeneration Project Through Arnstein’s Ladder Theory |
| Authors |
김보름(Kim, Boreum) ; 서덕수(Seo, Ducksu) |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.38195/judik.2023.08.24.5.71 |
| Keywords |
아른슈타인; 사다리이론; 주민참여; 포항 철길숲 Arnstein; Ladder Theory; Civic Participation; Pohang Railway Forest |
| Abstract |
There has been growing interest in reclaiming old transportation infrastructure and transforming it into parks with an emphasis on residents’ participation in the process. Based on Arnstein’s ladder theory of civic participation, this study analyzes the level of public engagement in the process of building, managing, and operating the ‘Pohang Railroad Forest’ project - an illustrative case of regenerating a disused railway site. Using literature research, in-depth interviews with project stakeholders and residents, and on-site visits, we investigated the project site, assessed the current state of citizen involvement, and conducted a systematic evaluation of the extent of citizen participation throughout the entire project cycle. It reveals that the regeneration project predominantly resides in the intermediate and lower levels of citizen participation, characterized as ‘nonparticipation’ and ‘tokenism’. To ascend to the highest echelon of ‘citizen power’, it is imperative to bolster civic capabilities, establish a sustainable resident self-reliance system, and foster productive public-private partnerships. This study provides significant implications for policymakers, administrators, urban planners, and resident organizations aiming at aspiring citizen engagement in urban regeneration projects. |