A Study on the Characteristics of Mass Gathering Places through Mob Psychology : Focusing on Seongsu-dong Area

(Purpose) This study comprehensively addresses both physical and non-physical factors, emphasizing the importance of non-physical elements in preventing crowd-related incidents. The aim is to analyze the characteristics and representations of mass gathering places where crowds are formed. (Design/methodology/approach) Previous studies have primarily focused on analyzing the physical factors of crowd accidents and the corresponding response processes. In this context, the present study emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive analysis by integrating both physical and non-physical factors in preventing crowd-related incidents. To better understand the excitement and psychological factors of large crowds, a theoretical review of crowd psychology is conducted. Furthermore, the study examines the Seongsu area, a prominent example of a mass gathering place, to identify the characteristics and representations associated with crowd formation. (Results) Through the research process, the characteristics of crowd behavior were identified as “impulsiveness”, “variability”, “sensitivity”, “simplicity”, “suggestibility”, “renewability”, and “intolerance”. Similarly, the characteristics of mass gathering places were derived as “accessibility”, “experiential value”, “economic feasibility”, and “publicness”. An analysis of these characteristics reveals that crowd behavior and mass gathering places share a mutually reinforcing relationship, accelerating the expression of each other's traits. Mass gathering places provide optimal conditions for accommodating large groups, which facilitates the formation of crowds. These crowds, in turn, exhibit distinct crowd characteristics, thereby defining the mass gathering place. Such places, once formed, become points of interest for individuals outside the crowd, further amplifying the crowd's size. As the crowd grows, the traits of crowd behavior intensify, often manifesting in more potent and hazardous ways. Upon analyzing various cases, it is evident that preventive measures or spatial solutions addressing sudden, concentrated gatherings are insufficient. Furthermore, there is a lack of clear strategies that take into account the high excitement levels characteristic of crowd behavior. This highlights the necessity of developing improvements or alternative solutions to manage highly congested spaces effectively.