Housing regeneration and building sustainable low-income communities in Korea

Housing regeneration in Korea has focused on improving physical deterioration and maximizing landlord profits rather than on strengthening the social capital of low-income neighborhoods. Much less attention has been given to community capital, particularly social capital. This paper examines the characteristics of low-income communities and housing regeneration projects, and sustainable low-income communities in terms of community capital. There is no doubt that housing regeneration projects have contributed to a housing stock increase. The survey evidence demonstrates that housing regeneration projects demolished the slums where low-income families are concentrated, thereby isolating and marginalizing the displaced residents. The market approach of residential redevelopment schemes can be characterized as a landlord-initiated gentrification process. Applying the concept of sustainable development to low-income communities in urban Korea requires mobilizing residents and their governments to strengthen economic capital and preserve social and cultural capital.