earticle

영어

This study examines usage patterns of Youth Free Spaces in Pyeongtaek City, Gyeonggi Province, focusing on two facilities—Cheongbuk and Poseung—operated under the same opening hours. Using visitor logbook records from July to December 2025, the study conducts descriptive statistical analyses of (1) user distribution by school level, (2) time-of-day visit patterns, (3) day-of-week usage characteristics, and (4) space-function preferences within each facility. The findings indicate that facility use is not evenly distributed across the full youth age range (approximately 9–24 years) but is heavily concentrated among elementary and middle school users, while high school students and young adults show limited participation. In terms of time-of-day, visitation is concentrated in after-school hours, suggesting that operational performance may depend more on crowding, safety management, and space turnover than on program provision. Space-function usage also varies by site: some functions attract disproportionately high demand, whereas others are used more evenly, implying that similar spatial configurations can yield different utilization outcomes depending on context and operational conditions. Additionally, weekend visitation is relatively high in both facilities, highlighting the role of Youth Free Spaces not only as after-school venues but also as neighborhood-based leisure and peer interaction spaces on weekends. Based on these findings, the study discusses implications for demand-based operations, adjustments to spatial configurations, and the need for standardized reporting systems and institutional guidelines to support sustainable management of Youth Free Spaces.