Special Report Vol. 55 (2020)

Strategies for Urban Regeneration Linked to Innovation Cities

Chapter I. Introduction

Chapter III. Current Policies for Win-Win Development between Innovation Cities and Adjacent Regions

1. Central Government Policies
2. Current Status of Local Government Plans and Projects
3. Policy Limitations and Challenges

Chapter IV. Best Practices: Regenerating Old City Centers by Utilizing Regional Capacity for Innovation

1. Case of Establishing a Strategy for Old City Centers Regeneration through a Mutually Beneficial Regional Development Plan
2. Case of Utilizing Regional Innovative Competency and Re-located Public Institution Competency
3. Case of Utilizing Unused Spaces in Old City Centers as Cultural and Consumption Spaces
4. Case of Strengthening Accessibility and Linkage between Innovation City and Old City Center

Chapter VI. Conclusion

Summary

Many innovation cities have been developed as new towns, drawing criticism for accelerating population outflows and hollowing-out facilities in old city centers near innovation cities. In 2018, the government announced a plan to promote mutually beneficial development (win-win development) between innovation cities and surrounding areas. This study shall present strategies for vitalizing urban regeneration in old city centers by making better use of public institutions relocated into innovation cities.

The net outflow from surrounding established cities to 10 innovation cities has been 92,996 persons since 2012. In addition, 51 percent of innovation city population came from old residential areas within the same municipalities. Since the beginning of public institution relocation, the growth rate of businesses based in surrounding areas of
innovation cities within same municipalities was 8.1 percent between 2012 and 2017, lower than the national average of 11.6 percent. The increase in the number of workers in surrounding areas of innovation cities during the same period was 15.2 percent, lower than the national average of 16.5 percent, but higher than that of surrounding municipalities of 12.7 percent.

The central government supports urban regeneration in old towns linked to innovation cities through various public projects. In 2018, 10 local governments established their own comprehensive development plans for each innovation city. A budget has been allocated for 18 mutually beneficial development projects between innovation cities and surrounding areas, and 28 projects were selected for urban regeneration near innovation cities.

This study suggests four basic directions to regenerate original city centers near innovation cities. First, it is necessary to utilize the capabilities of relocated public institutions. Second, an inventory should be taken of vacant assets in old towns that can be converted to cultural and consumption spaces. The vacant land and buildings in old towns can also be reviewed for potential demand from innovation cities. Third, traffic strategies are needed to enhance accessibility between innovation cities and old towns. Public transport investments should be made through a step-by-step process with shortand long-term strategies. Finally, it is necessary to strengthen linkages among related projects, such as an Innovation City Comprehensive Development Plan or an Urban Regeneration New Deal.