인구감소에 따른 도시쇠퇴·축소도시·지방소멸 담론의 변화 분석

Analyzing the Evolution of Urban Decline, Shrinking Cities, and Regional Extinction under Population Decline

This study empirically examines the evolution of scholarly discourse on urban decline, shrinking cities, and regional extinction related to population decline in South Korea, analyzing 213 articles published in domestic journals from 2001 to 2025. Using text mining, keyword network analysis, LDA topic modeling, and Sankey diagram analysis, the research identifies three distinct phases: ① the conceptual introduction period (pre-2017), ② the policy diffusion period (2018-2021), and ③ the implementation intensification period (2022-2025). The early phase focused on Japanese case studies and the formation of key concepts. Subsequently, with the expansion of the Urban Regeneration New Deal and regional extinction response policies, research interest shifted toward policy implementation. Recently, studies have increasingly concentrated on concrete measures such as the ‘regional extinction response fund’ and specific strategies. The complexity and centrality of keyword networks have deepened over time, reflecting a scholarly discourse that has progressed from structural diagnosis toward policy design and execution strategies. This study provides an essential academic foundation for effective policy responses to population decline.