• Journal of health informatics and statistics
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.309-316
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• 2017

Objectives: Radon and its progeny pose environmental risks as a carcinogen, especially to the lungs. Investigating factors affecting indoor radon concentrations and models thereof are needed to prevent exposure to radon and to reduce indoor radon concentrations. The purpose of this study was to identify factors affecting indoor radon concentration and to construct a comprehensive model thereof. Methods: Questionnaires were administered to obtain data on residential environments, including building materials and life style. Decision tree and structural equation modeling were applied to predict residences at risk for higher radon concentrations and to develop the comprehensive model. Results: Greenery ratio, impermeable layer ratio, residence at ground level, daily ventilation, long-term heating, crack around the measuring device, and bedroom were significantly shown to be predictive factors of higher indoor radon concentrations. Daily ventilation reduced the probability of homes having indoor radon concentrations ${\geq}200Bq/m^3$ by 11.6%. Meanwhile, a greenery ratio ${\geq}65%$ without daily ventilation increased this probability by 15.3% compared to daily ventilation. The constructed model indicated greenery ratio and ventilation rate directly affecting indoor radon concentrations. Conclusions: Our model highlights the combined influences of geographical properties, groundwater, and lifestyle factors of an individual resident on indoor radon concentrations in Korea.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.99-115
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• 2024

A worldwide effort is underway to utilize urban parks as a means ofresponding to climate change, providing various benefits to citizens. However, it also has several negative effects, such as an increase in pollen allergies. These negative impacts have been defined as ecosystem disservices and discussed globally, although the discussion remains insufficient domestically. In particular, pollen allergies have been discussed as a typical ecosystem disservice, with negative impacts such as an increase in symptoms attributed to higher pollen production or the growth of trees with higher antigenicity. The WHO reports that approximately 30% of the world's population suffers from pollen allergies. Many recent studies indicate that the harm induced by pollen allergies is expected to increase due to changes in the climate and thermal environment. In this context, we aim to diagnose the allergenicity of current urban parks and assess changes according to climate change scenarios. To achieve this goal, we assess pollen allergenicity in Seoul Children's Grand Park using the Urban Green Space Allergenicity Index (IUGZA) as the first step towards discussing ecosystem disservices. We found that the IUGZA value in the target area exceeds the threshold suggested in previous research, causing harm due to pollen allergies and is expected to increase according to climate change scenarios. We conclude that this result indicates that social harm from pollen allergies in urban parks may increase due to climate change. Therefore, we emphasize the necessity of discussing ecosystem disservices in the composition of urban parks.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.50-60
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• 2019

In the late 1980s, a financial crisis and Compulsory Competitive Tendering (CCT) in green space services brought with it a profound impact on the quality of parks in the UK. Such government projects, e.g. Urban Task Force (1999) and Public Parks Assessment (2001), aimed to raise the awareness of the severity of the declining standards of urban parks. Since the late 1990s, the UK governments (The New Labour (1997-2010) and The Conservative Government (2010-2019)), have often adopted community-led governance schemes to enhance the quality of parks and address problems derived from the financial crisis. Accordingly, community groups, notably 'Friends of', enlarged their involvement in the decision-making process of park management. However, there is little empirical evidence concerning the impact of community-led governance on park management, in particular, the effect on the users' perceptions of park use. This study explored the context of community-led park management to reclassify the level of build-up of governance underlined by 'A Ladder of Citizen Participation'. In addition, questionnaire surveys were conducted around two Sheffield district parks, which are located in deprived areas. As a result, community involvement in the status quo of UK urban park management has changed its form of governance based on the extent of involvement in the decision-making process. The forms of governance could be categorised in three levels: general, active, and predominant governance, where the extents of decision-making and sharing responsibility vary. The results obtained through the questionnaires show that one park (active governance), which has a stronger tendency of sharing responsibility to get involved in park management, had better contribution to park management and positive impacts on users' satisfaction than the other park (general governance). The findings highlight that stronger governance in partnerships with the non-public sectors can shed light on current and future park management through a shift in sharing responsibility for park management.

• Journal of the Korean Regional Science Association
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.43-57
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• 2022

The Land Suitability Assessment is mandatory by National Land Planning and Utilization Act and the results are considered in the establishment of urban master plan and urban management plan. The study aims to examine whether the application of Land Suitability Assessment in developed urban areas is appropriate. A simulation analysis based on the Seoul's data of environmental ecological, physical, and spatial characteristics was conducted on urban green, the only applicable land for the assessment in Seoul. The results of the assessment shows that all pieces of lands in urban green is suitable for 'development'. This conflicts to the purpose of land use of urban green which needs to be conserved to protect the natural environment and landscape, animals and plants, environmental pollution, and urban sprawl. In the analysis applying optional indicators such as the distance from the area of Biotope Class 1 to prevent this conflict, the results shows little difference. This supports the necessity to review this regulation including an option to exclude developed urban areas such as Seoul in the assessment.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.104-119
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• 2024

The burden of medical expenses and the loss of social capital due to chronic diseases are becoming problems worldwide, and comprehensive and inclusive measures across various fields are required to prevent and manage their impacts. Social prescriptions have been shown to be effective in resolving the fundamental causes of health problems in patients with chronic diseases and in supporting existing treatments. In particular, green prescriptions that utilize the healing effects of nature and green spaces based on social prescriptions are being introduced in many countries overseas. Green prescription is the practice of a healthcare provider recommending activities in green spaces or experiences in the natural environment to patients for the prevention and management of chronic diseases. This study analyzed cases focusing on the policy system, the cases of the United Kingdom and the United States, which have introduced and operated green prescriptions under a national system. For this purpose, this study compared the background of green prescription introduction, related policies, and operation methods. Based on this, four implications were proposed to establish an effective plan for introducing green prescriptions in Korea. First, prior to establishing a policy for green prescriptions, interest in and research on green prescriptions are essential. Second, an implementation plan that fits the national health care system should be established, and policies should support the plan. Third, the introduction of green prescriptions from a long-term and gradual perspective is required. Fourth, comprehensive cooperation is required for the introduction and implementation of the green prescription system. This study can be used as basic data for discussion before introducing green prescriptions in Korea in the future.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.426-433
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• 2024

In this study, to estimate the effects of plant-induced surface area increase and physiological activity on fine dust purification, a control group was set up. We utilized both foliage plants (Spathiphyllum wallisii) and artificial plants (shaped like Spathiphyllum wallisii) to measure and compare the purification time for fine dust. The results showed that the time required for fine dust purification in each experimental group decreased by 57-64% for Type AP and 31-32% for Type P compared to the control group. Subsequently, using a Linear Mixed Model (LMM), we tested the interaction between time and each experimental group, revealing statistically significant interactions between surface area increase and time(PM10 : t=3.123, p<0.05, PM2.5 : t=3.180, p<0.05), as well as physiological activity and time(PM10 : t=4.065, p<0.05, PM2.5 : t=4.307, p<0.05), indicating the presence of interactions between each factor and the time variable. Finally, we estimated the efficiency of fine dust purification by plant factors through nonlinear regression analysis. Compared to the control group without purification factors (Type C), it was estimated that surface area increase shortened the purification time by 1.40 times and physiological activity by an average of 1.95 times, resulting in a total 2.74 times shorter purification time. Based on these results, we hypothesized that physiological activity(transpiration and absorption) has a greater impact on fine dust purification than surface area increase(biosorption). Accordingly, we emphasize the importance of vegetation management practices such as pruning and irrigation management in green spaces aimed at fine dust purification.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.119-128
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• 2016

Urban park planning has become difficult due to the lack of municipal funds. Thereupon, a special scheme was imposed for city park planning. Since then, a legal amendment was made for economical improvement and more active participation. However, there are a lot of questions about whether it was a suitable direction for parks and where it should be emphasized for public interest. Base on these concerns, this study examined the basis and characteristics of location, creation, and maintenance of private development parks in Japan, which was the policy model of Korean private parks. Location and space planning of private development parks was made up considering an effective green network and disaster prevention function, and a minimum area was about 1.42ha. The minimum area, 1ha, was established on the basis of considering realistic possibilities, disaster protection, and universal validity. It was also amended to consider the standard of type two mid- to high-rise exclusive residential areas and consultation with regional governance. Finally, it was built on the lowest limit of ordinance of the relevant city; for example, 100% of the floor area ratio, 30% of the building coverage ratio, and the maximum height of 11 stories, etc. For maintenance, private and public sectors were working together. Maintenance fees for 35 years (based on $300yen/m^2$ per month) were paid en bloc by the licensee. However, the city was paid for facilities that accompanied excessive maintenance costs. Meanwhile, it seemed difficult to introduce attractive profit facilities because of the limitations in location, usage permission, and introduction equipment; furthermore, there were problems with management authority, and the burden of expenses was deducted. For creating private Korean parks, this study suggested that we should build priority of creating city parks and select appropriate locations first; also, we need to make criteria for location, creation, and standard management rules that are relevant to the whole nation of Korea.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.139-153
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• 2000

자연공원시설의 정의와 친환경성의 개념을 정립하고 자연공원내 시설과 관련된 기본법인 자연공원법과 기타공원시설물의 관련법규들 중에서 용도지구 내 시설설치 허용기준과 공원시설의 정의 시설물의 종류 및 시설물의 설치.관리 등 관련 법제도를 친환경성 측면에서 검토하여으며 미국, 일본 및 대만 등에서의 친환경적인 자연공원시설물 관련법규를 살펴보고 국내.외 법제를 비교분석하였다 친환경적 측면에서의 자연공원시설의 설치 및 관리상의 문제점을 종합해 보고 이에 따른 친환경성을 고려한 자연공원시설의 법.제도와 관련하여 공원 시설종류의 일부 삭제 및 추가와 시설기능 변경안이 포함된 공원시설물의 친환경성 증진을 위한 현행 자연공원 법령(법.시행령.시행규칙)의 개정안과 자연보존지구, 자연환경지구, 취락지구 등의 용도지구 내에서의 허용행위기준과 집단시설지구 내 녹지기준의 개정안을 제시하고 시행규칙상 시설물의 신설을 권고하였다.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Sciences Society Conference
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• 2007.05a
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• pp.450-452
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• 2007

낙동강 중하류지역에 있어서 본류와 주요지천에 있어서의 환경특성과 식생현황을 조사하여 하천관리방안의 기초자료를 마련하고, 본류와 지류의 물리적 특성, 토지이용현황, 수질특성, 토양특성 및 식생 현황을 조사하였다. 조사결과 하천에서 육역으로 갈수록 귀화식물의 유입이 많았는데, 같은 하천이라도 회천의 경우 강가보다 제방부근이 더 높게 나타났고, 상대적으로 사람의 접근이 어려운 낙동강 본류의 매리나 물금지역이 낮게 나타나 귀화식물의 유입은 하천의 형태와 더불어 인간의 접근용이성에도 영향을 많이 받고 있음을 보여주었다. 조사 대상 지역 중 서낙동강 습지와 묵정논 등 습지에서 수생식물의 출현율이 높게 나타나, 이들 지역에 있어서 수생식물을 이용한 하천 수질정화에 있어서 습지의 조성 혹은 관리가 매우 유용할 수 있음을 보여주었다. 조사지역에서의 비소와 크롬의 경우 대부분의 지역에서 토양오염우려기준 이상으로 조사되어 이에 대한 대책이 시급한 것으로 나타났다. 현재와 같은 열약한 수변조건에서 강수시에 범람이나 침식으로 인하여 수체로 유입된 가능성이 매우 높은 것으로 판단되어지며 이를 방지하기 위한 수변녹지의 확보가 절실한 것으로 나타났다.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.64-72
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• 2014

This study quantified the storage and annual uptake of carbon by apple trees in orchards as a production-type greenspace, and computed the annual carbon emissions from apple cultivation. Tree individuals in the study orchards were sampled to include the range of stem diameter sizes. The study measured biomass for each part including the roots of sample trees through a direct harvesting method to compute total carbon storage per tree. Annual carbon uptake per tree was quantified by analyzing the radial growth rates of stem samples at ground level. Annual carbon emissions from management practices such as pruning, mowing, irrigation, fertilization, and use of pesticides and fungicides were estimated based on maintenance data, interviews with managers, and actual measurements. Regression models were developed using stem diameter at ground level (D) as an independent variable to easily estimate storage and annual uptake of the carbon. Storage and annual uptake of carbon per tree increased as D sizes got larger. Apple trees with D sizes of 10 and 15 cm stored 9.1 and 21.0 kg of carbon and annually sequestered 1.0 and 1.6 kg, respectively. Storage and annual uptake of carbon per unit area in study orchards were 3.81 t/ha and 0.42 t/ha/yr, respectively, and annual carbon emissions were 1.30 t/ha/yr. Thus, the carbon emissions were about 3 times greater than the annual carbon uptake. The study identified management practices to reduce the carbon footprint of production-type greenspace, including efficient uses of water, pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers. It breaks new ground by including measured biomass of roots and a detailed inventory of carbon emissions.