• Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.93-109
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of industrialization and urbanization of Gwangyang Bay Region on the change of urban system and spatial structure between triangle-cities located in Gwangyang Bay, Yeosu City, Suncheon City, and Gwangyang City, one of the famous industrial zones in Korea. Large-scale development projects carried out by the central government in the Gwangyang Bay Region such as construction of the Second Oil Refinery in the mid-1960s, completion of the POSCO Gwangyang Steelworks in the mid-1980s, construction of the Gwangyang Port Container Terminal in 1987 and designation of the Gwangyang Bay Area Free Economic Zone in 2003, and EXPO 2012 Yeosu Korea, affected to changes of the urban system and spatial structure between triangle-cities in Gwangyang Bay Region. The above four-development projects transformed the urban and spatial structures between the three cities in the Gwangyang Bay Region from a mononuclear urban system centered on Suncheon to a network city system. Historically, Suncheon has served as an exclusive center in the eastern region of Jeonnam, including the Gwangyang Bay Region. However, the hosting of the 2012 Yeosu Expo Korea is reorganizing the three cities into a network-type spatial structure with the strengthening of connectivity and integration in the region. And this trend is expected to intensify in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.837-851
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• 2016

The growth and development of Gwangyang city was a result of the POSCO Gwangyang Works, and Gwangyang city is one of typical firm citys in Korea. The objective of this study is to identify and examine the change of migration and population structure in Gwangyang city from 2001 to 2010. Since 1981, total number of population of Gwangyang city increased from 78,478 in 1981 to 145,512 in 2010. The population structure by age was changed with population increase since 2001, and 30-40 aging group was 35% of total in 2010. During 2001-2010, the netmigraion showed -2,925 people, however, the number of inmigrants were overtaking the number of out-migrants since 2008. The most common reason of in-migrants was occupation(49.5%). Factors influencing Gwangyang City's population growth and oversupply are the location of POSCO Gwangyang Works and steel-related enterprises, opening and construction of Gwangyang container berth, the related development projects and establishment of Gwangyang Bay Area Free Economic Zone, and the local policies of Gwangyang City connected with these large-scale national projects. As a result, the number of manufacturing-related businesses increased due to various regional development projects conducted in Gwangyang City, and the growth of the business continued to increase due to the increase of younger people and births.