본 연구는 새만금권 3개 시·군이 협력함으로써 새만금 개발의 적기 완성에 따른 성과를 함께 공유하기 위한 상생방안을 모색하고자 했다. 본 연구의 결론은 다음과 같이 정리할 수 있다. 먼저 군산, 김제, 부안 3개 지자체의 지역여건이 인구나 정주여건 면에서 전국평균에 비해 양호하지 못하고 지역발전에 한계가 있기 때문에 3개 시·군이 협력하여 새만금사업을 도약의 발판으로 삼아야 한다. 둘째 기존의 통합들은 지자체간의 통합을 통하여 효율성측면에서 시너지효과를 추구하는 방향으로 진행되었지만, 뚜렷한 성과가 나타나지 않고 있다. 하지만 새만금지역은 거대 국책사업인 새만금지역을 활용하기 위한 방향으로 지자체간의 상생방안이 논의되고 있기 때문에 행정체제 개편에 따른 성과가 높게 나타날 수 있다. 셋째, 새만금권의 행정체제 개편 대안은 새만금지역을 분할, 독립, 통합하는 방안 등을 감안할 수 있지만, 3개 시·군이 새만금개발의 수혜를 받기 위해서는 통합방안이 적절한 대안이다. 넷째 3개 시·군이 새만금개발을 통하여 상생협력에 성공하기 위해서는 공동의 비전과 상호간의 신뢰가 확고하게 선결되어야 한다. 마지막으로 지자체간의 협력사업을 실행하기 위해서는 일관된 추진계획과 계획을 추진하는 추진체계가 시급하게 마련되어야 한다. 그리고 내부갈등을 해결할 수 있는 지역포럼이나 시민단체 등과 같은 내부협력체계 등을 통하여 지속적인 의사소통으로 이해관계자간에 정보가 단절되지 않도록 해야 할 것이다.

This study explores how to collaborate each other among 3 local governments around Samangeum area so that they can get maximum benefits from the national project. To this end, we survey at first hand the characteristics of the three local governments, the previous literature related to the city-county consolidation, and then examine the real cases. Based on the survey, the results of the study are as follows. First, the 3 local governments of Gunsan, Gimje, and Buan might not be able to be satellite cities surrounding Samangeum area because each local government is not sufficient enough to be a self-independent city in population and financial ability. Accordingly, it is necessary to make collaborative strategy among the 3 local governments. Second, unlike the previous city-county consolidations, the administrative consolidation or collaborative efforts among 3 local governments in Samangeum area might enjoy the benefits from the Samangeum national project because it creates new wide territory and could be a key economic center of north-east Asia. Third, it is the best alternative to consolidate 3 local governments in order to get benefits from the Saemangeum projects. Fourth, the first step to collaborate each other is to have a common vision to share together the benefits of Samangeum projects and to develop more confidence. Finally, the collaboration should be based on the plans with the collaborative mechanism communicating continuously and consistently among regional representatives.

This study explores how to collaborate each other among 3 local governments around Samangeum area so that they can get maximum benefits from the national project. To this end, we survey at first hand the characteristics of the three local governments, the previous literature related to the city-county consolidation, and then examine the real cases. Based on the survey, the results of the study are as follows. First, the 3 local governments of Gunsan, Gimje, and Buan might not be able to be satellite cities surrounding Samangeum area because each local government is not sufficient enough to be a self-independent city in population and financial ability. Accordingly, it is necessary to make collaborative strategy among the 3 local governments. Second, unlike the previous city-county consolidations, the administrative consolidation or collaborative efforts among 3 local governments in Samangeum area might enjoy the benefits from the Samangeum national project because it creates new wide territory and could be a key economic center of north-east Asia. Third, it is the best alternative to consolidate 3 local governments in order to get benefits from the Saemangeum projects. Fourth, the first step to collaborate each other is to have a common vision to share together the benefits of Samangeum projects and to develop more confidence. Finally, the collaboration should be based on the plans with the collaborative mechanism communicating continuously and consistently among regional representatives.

Saemangeum, Gunsan, Gimje, Buan, City-county consolidation