Since the first measurement of depopulation risk areas in 2016, the number of such areas in Korea has been increasing each year. Recently, the Korean government has been implementing various policies to address the crisis of local extinction caused by population decline.

According to the ‘Future Population Projection: 2022-2052 published’ by Statistics Korea, the population of the metropolitan area is expected to decrease by 5.3% by 2052 compared to 2022. However, in contrast to the metropolitan area, the Yeongnam region is projected to see a 22.5% decline and the Honam region a 16.3% decrease. This suggests that local population issues will become more severe in the future.

A hole in the city: The Urban Perforation Phenomenon

As the population declines, Urban Perforation Phenomenon* occurs in local cities, leading to economic and social problems. Urban Perforation Phenomenon typically happens when residential buildings become vacant, are demolished without a subsequent development plan, and the resulting vacant lots are left abandoned.

This phenomenon is a common issue worldwide, and Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism has revised related laws to address 'Urban Spongeization*' In Korea, the 'Urban Empty House Maintenance Project' was launched to repurpose vacant houses after demolition. However, there is no available information or statistical data on the urban perforation phenomenon.

Urban Perforation Phenomenon : A phenomenon where buildings are demolished and abandoned across the city.
Urban Spongeization : A phenomenon where empty houses and vacant lots emerge randomly in cities due to population decline.

Proportion of Underpopulated Areas in Korea

Proportion of Underpopulated Areas (depopulated areas) : The percentage of underpopulated areas relative to the total populated areas in cities, counties, and districts.

South Korea's National Geographic Information Institute provides data on the proportion of underpopulated areas. Among 250 cities, counties, and districts in Korea, the proportion of underpopulated areas in 50 small cities exceeded 35%. In contrast, Seoul recorded 3.84%, and the metropolitan area (Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon) recorded 10.10%, highlighting a significant difference compared to small cities.

Nara Space utilized data on the ratio of proportion underpopulated areas to select Bonghwa-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, which has the highest proportion of underpopulated areas, as the target site. They developed an automated analysis technology for the urban perforation phenomenon using aerial and satellite images.

Is There a Hole in the City? The ‘Urban Perforation Phenomenon’ Caused by Population Decline

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