Analysis of Generation Z’s Awareness of Regional Problem : Problem Solving through Design Thinking

Abstract

The difference between the metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas significantly impacts life satisfaction in terms of jobs, transportation, culture, and living facilities. The population in the metropolitan area constitutes 50.4% of the total, with 113 regions facing population decline. Various policies aimed at addressing regional disparities have proven ineffective, necessitating alternative approaches. Analyzing problem perceptions at the regional and generational levels is crucial for alternative policies considering regional imbalances and the concept of living population. Notably, the involvement of Generation Z, the future generation deciding where to settle, in identifying regional issues can have a long-term positive impact on solving these problems. In this study, we analyzed cases of problem-solving involving the participation of local residents and conducted a comparative analysis by executing a project where Generation Z directly identified regional problems through Design Thinking. To analyze regional issues, the “Regional Issue Resolution Platform” project executed by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety in 2023 was selected. Forty-seven cases from six regions—Ulsan, Busan, Gangwon, Daejeon, Jeonbuk, and Gwangju—were collected and analyzed. The process of Generation Z identifying regional problems took place through Design Thinking, with university students exploring and investigating the Pyeongtaek and Anseong regions directly for 15 weeks. The research findings revealed that while local residents focused on the ‘Social Safety and Community' category among the four, Generation Z emphasized ‘Urban Regeneration and Recovery' out of the five categories. Additionally, Generation Z, as a living population, considered the previously overlooked ‘transportation' issue as significant. In summary, Generation Z not only recognized problems identified by local residents but also discovered more diverse issues. The significance of this research lies in anticipating that the problem identification from the perspective of Generation Z observers will provide alternative solutions for future regional issue resolutions and attract the young population.