The Characteristics of Green Belts Land-Use Regulations in Seoul Metropolitan Areas

Abstract

Korean Green Belts, or Restricted Development Zones (RDZs), have been well established system for three decades. This system however has been rapidly deregulated since the announcement of the RDZs Policy Reform. This article examines the characteristics of land use regulation on Green Belts in Seoul Metropolitan Areas (SMA). To achieve this goal, this article investigates criteria: theoretical foundation; objects regulated; relations to market competition; and political-economic traits to distinguish economic regulations from social ones. Second, it reviews the status of RDZs in the SMA and the contents of recent rezoning. Third, it examines the characteristics of land-use regulations on Green Belts according to the above criteria. Finally, it presents three principles to preserve environmental values of Green Belts during the implementation process.