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2025 Vol.60, Issue 5 Preview Page

Research Article

Citizen-Centered Sustainability: An Analysis of Perceptions and Influencing Factors in South Korea’s Slow Cities

한국 슬로시티의 지속가능성을 위한 시민 인식 및 영향 요인 연구

Yooncheong Choa*
조 윤정a*
aProfessor, KDI School of Public Policy and Management
aKDI (한국개발연구원) 국제정책대학원 교수
*Corresponding Author
31 October 2025. pp. 560-575
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Abstract

This study investigates citizens’ perceptions of Slow Cities in South Korea and analyzes how key dimensions – local economic impact, cultural promotion, traditional value preservation, environmental protection, cultural preservation, resident relationships, intergenerational exchange, tourism industry impact, and local image improvement – influence six outcome variables: sustainable development contribution, overall attitudes, satisfaction, future prospects, intention to recommend, and youth employment support. Data were collected through an online survey of 900 respondents across six designated Slow Cities, and multiple regression analysis was employed to test the relationships. The findings indicate that local economic impact is the most consistent and influential predictor across all outcomes, underscoring the central role of economic vitality in sustaining citizen support. Local image improvement was also a strong driver, particularly for future prospects and youth-related outcomes. Intergenerational exchange significantly shaped attitudes, satisfaction, and recommendation intentions, highlighting its importance for strengthening social cohesion. By contrast, cultural promotion and tourism industry impact demonstrated limited effects, suggesting these factors alone are insufficient to enhance perceptions without broader economic or social benefits. The study provides policy, managerial, and geographical implications for advancing Slow City initiatives, emphasizing localized strategies, intergenerational engagement, environmental sustainability, and more effective communication of youth development and offers practical insights for policymakers and planners seeking to foster livable, future-oriented communities.

Keywords
Slow Cities
sustainable development
citizen perceptions
urban governance

본 연구는 한국 슬로시티에 대한 시민들의 인식을 조사하고, 지역경제적 영향, 문화 진흥, 전통 가치 보존, 환경 보호, 문화 보존, 주민 관계, 세대 간 교류, 관광산업 영향, 지역 이미지 개선 등 주요 요인들이 지속가능한 발전 기여도, 전반적 태도, 만족도, 미래 전망, 추천 의도, 청년 고용 지원 등 6가지 종속변수에 미치는 영향을 분석하였다. 본 연구는 6개 지정 슬로시티에서 900명의 응답자를 대상으로 온라인 설문조사를 실시하였으며, 다중회귀분석을 통해 데이터를 분석하였다. 분석 결과, 지역경제적 영향은 모든 종속변수에서 가장 일관되고 영향력 있는 예측 변수로 나타나 시민 지지를 유지하는 데 있어 경제적 활력의 중요성을 부각시켰다. 또한, 지역 이미지 개선은 미래 전망과 청년 관련 변수에서 특히 강력한 영향을 미치는 요인으로 확인되었다. 세대 간 교류 역시 태도, 만족도, 추천 의도에 유의미한 영향을 미치며 사회적 결속력 강화를 위한 중요성을 시사했다. 반면, 문화 진흥과 관광산업 영향은 제한적인 효과를 보여주었으며, 이러한 요인들이 보다 광범위한 경제적･사회적 혜택 없이 시민 인식을 크게 향상시키는 데에는 한계가 있음을 시사했다. 본 연구는 슬로시티 발전을 위한 정책적, 관리적, 지리적 시사점을 제시하며, 지역 맞춤형 전략, 세대 간 교류 증진, 환경적 지속가능성 강화, 청년 고용 기회에 대한 효과적인 소통의 필요성을 강조한다. 나아가 본 연구는 지속가능한 도시 발전을 위한 시민 중심 접근을 이해하는 데 기여하며, 살기 좋고 미래 지향적인 공동체를 구축하고자 하는 정책입안자와 도시계획가들에게 실질적인 통찰을 제공한다.

키워드
슬로시티
지속가능한 발전
시민 인식
도시 거버넌스
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Information
  • Publisher :The Korean Geographical Society
  • Publisher(Ko) :대한지리학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
  • Journal Title(Ko) :대한지리학회지
  • Volume : 60
  • No :5
  • Pages :560-575
  • Received Date : 2025-07-16
  • Revised Date : 2025-08-23
  • Accepted Date : 2025-08-24
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.22776/kgs.2025.60.5.560
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