Abstract

This study aimed to compare and analyze the institutional similarities and differences between the Ecological and Natural Map and the Urban Ecological Map, both of which serve as key instruments for Korea’s national environmental policy. In 2025, a systematic comparison was conducted focusing on map preparation methods, spatial coverage, data sources, classification criteria, legal frameworks, and public notification procedures. The analysis revealed that, although both maps share the common goal of conserving the natural environment, they differ structurally in terms of responsible authorities, evaluation systems, application methods, and legal effectiveness. To enhance the institutional utility of these tools, this study proposes several improvement measures: adjusting the scale of the Ecological and Natural (from 1:25,000 to 1:5,000), strengthening the review procedures for the Urban Ecological Map, clarifying legal standards for application, introducing an official notification system to increase the credibility of the maps, and systematizing the objection process for classification grades. These recommendations are expected to enhance both the policy applicability and legal validity of the two maps, thereby contributing to the overall effectiveness of national environmental policy.