Abstract

Purpose: Gyeonggi-do’s Green Belt serves as a critical environmental buffer, mitigating urban sprawl and contributing to urban sustainability. However, increasing damage to these areas threatens their ecological functions and long-term viability. To address this issue, this study proposes a sustainable maintenance plan for Damaged Green Belt Areas (DGBA) by identifying key factors influencing degradation and suggesting appropriate management strategies. Research design, data and methodology: To systematically classify DGBA, ANOVA was conducted to determine significant factors related to land damage, followed by cluster analysis to categorize these areas into three groups. Results: Group 1, characterized by low damage levels and a low building ratio, is suitable for Green Belt restoration and green space preservation. Group 2, with moderate damage and a high proportion of residential buildings, is appropriate for urban park development and small-scale housing renewal projects. Group 3, which exhibits high levels of damage and a high concentration of production and commercial facilities, is best suited for redevelopment into logistics centers and small industrial complexes. Conclusions: To ensure the sustainable management of these areas, this study suggests three key policy recommendations. First, stronger government regulations should be enforced to prevent further damage to Green Belt areas. Second, eco-friendly restoration strategies should be prioritized to rehabilitate degraded land while maintaining ecological balance. Third, a differentiated and targeted approach should be adopted by subdividing DGBA and implementing customized maintenance plans based on each area’s characteristics