A Study on the Suitability of Demand and Supply in Children’s Parks by Urban Size

Purpose: The proportion of elderly people in Korea is expected to increase rapidly every year, making it the country with the fastest-aging population in the world. The 'Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism' and the 'Ministry of Health and Welfare' are proposing various policies such as the cultural policy for the elderly and the silver cultural policy. However, they are not meeting rapidly changing social needs. Elderly people prefer outdoor spaces to spend their leisure time more actively rather than indoors, such as existing senior centers or welfare centers. Method: Cities and provinces across the country were divided into megacities, large cities, medium-sized cities, small cities, and rural-centered cities according to population size. For each city, 10 cities and counties were selected as target sites, and data on population status by city and year and the area and quantity of living area parks were organized. Using the surveyed data, researchers conducted user demand analysis and supply adequacy analysis by city. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and the Spss Statistics 21 statistical program was used. Results: As a result of analyzing the difference between the ratio of children and the elderly by city size, the ratio of children is decreasing in small cities and rural centers due to low birth rates and aging, while the ratio of elderly people continues to increase. The adequacy evaluation index of supply and demand for children's parks according to city size was found to be high in big cities. The evaluation index of park supply adequacy for the elderly was found to be high in rural central cities. Conclusion: In modern society, which has entered an aging society, in order to solve the problem of the elderly, a plan is needed to convert underutilized children's parks in small cities or central rural cities into rest and exercise spaces for the elderly. The existing children's park is located in a residential area where anyone can access it, so it is not only highly accessible for the elderly but can also improve the aesthetics of the city through redevelopment and rebuilding.