Perspective Swap from Central Europe to East Asia: How Relevant Is Urban Environmental Acupuncture in Small-Scale Green Space Development in the Context of the Republic of Korea?

A lack of green space, driven by intense urbanization, has resulted in adverse effects on human life and ecosystems. These adverse effects include, but are not limited to, urban heat islands, disruption to ecological networks, and fragmentation of human and animal habitats. Despite the critical need to improve climate resilience through green infrastructure expansion, not enough is being done to improve conditions globally. This study investigates the Urban Environmental Acupuncture (UEA) concept, exploring its potential application in Korea to implement green infrastructure in dense urban areas. Korea was selected as a case study due to its high population density and the urgent long-term need to safeguard urban green spaces. Semi-structured interviews with experts working in park and green space policy among Korean local governments were conducted. The interviews were analyzed using content analysis based on research questions. The results point to challenges in applying the UEA concept related to Korea’s urban green space policies, including land acquisition difficulties, insufficient information and research, and difficulties in continuous management with micro green spaces. Moreover, we provide strategies to overcome the challenges of UEA implementation within Korea. The findings and proposed strategies offer insight to those facing similar conditions such as high population density and limited delegated land for green space expansion.