Promoting of Healthy Cities through Social Ecological Paradigm

The approach of new healthy cities is a concept based on the social, economic, and psychological aspects of city dwellers. This study has made some suggestions for building healthy cities as a new paradigm, which emphasizes social and ecological factors.

As a primary data, this study developed a questionnaire designed as ecological and systematic factors about the health and healthy city factors, and analyzed 283 cases out of 300 cases, excluding 17 cases that were lacking. For the secondary data, this study used the information already available, such as the website of Gijang-gun, statistical reports, and Busan statistical portals.

The population of Gijang is gradually increasing due to the influx of populationin Jeonggwan New Town. Gijangis a city of festivals utilizing natural resources. It is one of the most successful festivals in Korea that attract tourists from all over the country every year. Abundant local resources can be a beneficial resource to inspire residents to participate in the region. However, in this study, residents and healthy city experts of Gijang showed lukewarm attitudes toward local participation and cooperation. They showed positive attitudes toward Gijang's food supply, housing supply, and anxiety about crime, which are the foundation of the healthy city. Compared to the abundant food and housing supply, Gijang has difficulty in public transportation. As seen in this survey, residents have a strong desire for health care. It was found that theanxiety about crime was comparatively low while the anxiety about natural disasters seemed to be very high. Also, the high willingness of residents to continue to reside in the region means that there is abundant social capital available for future regional development.

Gijang has a combined form of a city urban and agricultural. Gijang's public transport bases are relatively poor compared to those of other local governments. However, the maximization of the local resources they have can be used for health promotion and health education of Gijangdwellers.