Spatial distribution and connectivity of eco-cultural resources on Cheongsando Island, Republic of Korea

Abstract

Cheongsando, located in Wando-gun, Jeollanamdo, is designated as being part of the Dadohaehaesang National Park. The island is also designated as Asia's first “Slow City” and its traditional Gudeuljang irrigated rice terraces are officially listed as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System. This has resulted in the creation of a “Slow Walking Trail”, linking various eco-cultural resources. However, in its current configuration the Slow Walking Trail network fails to connect all parts of the islands equally well, causing regional imbalance and dissatisfaction among residents. To overcome these issues and improve the connectivity between villages, this study aimed to identify ways to refine the Slow Walking Trail network by means of a least cost path analysis. The results show that land use patterns such as rice paddy field, grassland, and road shape are the low cost land use patterns for network connection. Moreover, the analysis shows that the existing network forms a useful basis for refinements as there are sufficient similarities to the connected network identified by the least cost path analysis. In the end, the already established and used small road will have an important influence on the connected villages and improving the network.