Evaluation and Analysis on the Characteristics of Use and Space of Rural Housing Environment according to Universal Design

유니버설디자인 관점에 따른 농촌지역 주거환경의 공간 및 사용 특성의 평가 분석

In the 21st century, universal design has started to expand as new design value system for the diversity and various need of user: a new design that can reflects the welfare of the society. In addition, the percentage of population over 65 years old has been rising rapidly in Korea, and we are expected to reach 'aged society' with 14.3% of elderly population in 2018. In rural districts, population of the elderly has already reached 'super-aged society' with over 20%. With the rapid increase of the number of the elderly, the need for social service system is rising. For the independent living of the elderly, the dwelling space that supports their lifestyle is the most important factor. In advanced countries, they have proposed the housing for the elderly to keep living in their house, improvement of housing quality that fits the changing various needs of them. Until now, however, the most housing condition that the elderly has lived is poor living environment as below housing standards, especially housing in rural districts is very poor. The purpose of this study was to extract issue of housing in the rural districts in terms of universal design concept and reflecting the cultural and living characteristics of rural districts. With this, additionally, this study make understood about the necessity and important of universal design housing to reflect the characteristics of rural districts. For this study, data were collected from field survey and interview. The major results showed the following. 1) There were very various type of housing in rural districts. Spatial composition and shape was not related to living behavior and cultural characteristics of rural district. 2) The most new constructed housing was similar to urban housing type. It means that housing with respect to living culture of users in rural district must be developed. 3) In rural housing, they all had outdoor building (included storehouse, bathroom/toilet, kitchenet, etc.) relating to a series of work behavior. However, living environment was not to meet needs and characteristics of users.