Can Residents Access Leisure Spaces in Our City: Investigating the Leisure Space Distribution in Seoul, South Korea

Abstract

The preferred spaces for leisure activities across all age groups in Seoul, South Korea, and the age inclusiveness of leisure spaces during the COVID-19 were investigated. The accessibility and distribution preferences for leisure facilities of different generations are investigated as aspects of leisure space age inclusiveness. One-way ANOVA, correlation analysis, boxplot analysis, and GIS mapping were applied. The cost, time, and importance of leisure significantly differ by generation. Additionally, leisure space preferences differ by age group. A discrepancy in the distribution of age-inclusive leisure spaces by generation and district is revealed. The land value of a district relates to the distribution of age-inclusive leisure space. Planners and policymakers can use these findings to promote socially age-inclusive communities that support ‘aging in place’ and leisure spaces for all generations, thereby promoting the health of all residents. However, it is essential to note that this study has limitations arising from the COVID-19.

Keywords:

• Age inclusiveness
• aging in place
• leisure activity
• leisure space

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Notes

1 Many students spend considerable time in private educational institutions called “hagwon” due to intense university entrance competition in South Korea. Beyond studying, these spaces double as leisure venues for socializing. This dual role likely contributed to private educational institutions being frequently chosen as a leisure space in our survey, emphasized by their sheer number in the country Based on this circumstance, private educational Institutions is included among the 70 preidentified leisure space list in the National Leisure Activity Survey.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (Ministry of Science and ICT) under Grant [2022R1F1A1075136].