Evaluating Ways to Form a Sense of Community in a Shrinking City: The Case of the Media Culture Center, Seocheon, South Korea

Abstract

The objective of this study was to promote communal spirit through cultural space in a shrinking city. To achieve this, the study tracked the operation method of the Media Culture Center in Seocheon of South Korea; collected data by interviewing stakeholders, such as operators, participants, and residents; and analyzed the data using an open coding method. The results of this study showed that it was necessary to (1) provide appropriate services for the region, (2) support cultural activities aimed at common goals, and (3) serve as a stronghold for regional governance to promote communal spirit through a cultural space. The results suggested the following implications when forming communal spirit in a shrinking city. First, it is possible to form communal spirit in a shrinking city through a cultural space; operating a program that can help people overcome geographical limitations is necessary for this. Second, it requires experts who understand the region well and who derive residents’ participation and consent well as a facilitating factor in the formation of communal spirit. Third, since the common goal reinforces communal spirit, political support is needed to facilitate the community in participating in an event together.