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Urban Form and Sustainable Neighborhood Regeneration—A Multiscale Study of Daegu, South Korea

Author

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  • Emilien Gohaud

    (Department of Architecture, College of Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea)

  • Amarpreet Singh Arora

    (Department of Architecture, College of Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea)

  • Thorsten Schuetze

    (Department of Architecture, College of Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea)

Abstract

Notwithstanding the Korean Urban Regeneration Act 2013’s support for sustainable neighborhood regeneration programs, the number and scale of such projects relative to large-scale urban redevelopment remain limited. To address this imbalance, this research advances existing form-based approaches through a multi-scalar morphological analysis encouraging harmonized urban transformation and sustainable urban regeneration. The analysis encompasses the macroscale (metropolitan area development), mesoscale (urban characterization of the central urban area), and microscale (aging urban fabric detailed analysis). The case study focuses on Daegu, a major Korean city experiencing population decline. Mappings and quantitative and qualitative analysis used Geographic Information System QGIS, as well as the Python suite Momepy. The study revealed that large-scale urban redevelopments are driving urban densification and demographic shifts. While older low-rise structures occupy most of the urban landscape in the central city area, piecemeal high-rise redevelopment is increasingly fragmenting it. The overly fine urban grain resists regeneration, limiting car access, building scales, and urban density. The research findings help identify the urban areas that are most appropriate for urban regeneration and redevelopment projects and streamline and coordinate planning efforts and the adjusting of regulations. The method developed is transferable to other Korean and international cities, fostering sustainable urban regeneration.

Suggested Citation

  • Emilien Gohaud & Amarpreet Singh Arora & Thorsten Schuetze, 2025. "Urban Form and Sustainable Neighborhood Regeneration—A Multiscale Study of Daegu, South Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-32, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:11:p:4888-:d:1664972
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Fabrizio M. Amoruso & Min-Hee Sonn & Soyeon Chu & Thorsten Schuetze, 2021. "Sustainable Building Legislation and Incentives in Korea: A Case-Study-Based Comparison of Building New and Renovation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-41, April.
    2. Olgu Çalışkan & Yavuz Baver Barut, 2022. "Pluralist production of urban form: towards a parametric development control for unity in diversity," Journal of Urban Design, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(5), pages 563-588, September.
    3. Shin, Hyun Bang & Kim, Soo-Hyun, 2016. "The developmental state, speculative urbanisation and the politics of displacement in gentrifying Seoul," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 60439, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    4. Jin-Wook Lee & Jong-Sang Sung, 2017. "Conflicts of Interest and Change in Original Intent: A Case Study of Vacant and Abandoned Homes Repurposed as Community Gardens in a Shrinking City, Daegu, South Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-15, November.
    5. Marco Trisciuoglio & Michela Barosio & Ana Ricchiardi & Zeynep Tulumen & Martina Crapolicchio & Rossella Gugliotta, 2021. "Transitional Morphologies and Urban Forms: Generation and Regeneration Processes—An Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-19, June.
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