본 연구는 근대역사문화공간의 흐름과 변화 속에서 이용 활성화를 위해 보존과 활용의 장소적 의미를 찾아 현장 조사(현황 및 관리실태)와 지역경관과 이용자 인식 특성을 집단(일반인과 전문가)간 비교를 통해 분석하였고, 그 결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 근대역사문화공간의 일반현황 분석에서는, 현재 8개소가 근대역사문화공간으로 지정되었으며, 등록구역은 개소당 평균 55,260m2이다. 개별등록문화재 활용은 목포 근대역사문화공간, 영주 근대역사문화거리, 군산 내항역사문화공간, 진해 근대역사문화공간의 경우 절반 이상을 사용하고 있다. 또한 대부분 지형은 평지이며, 주요 조경 가로시설은 쉼터, 플랜터 등이 가로경관을 도모하고 있으나, 가능한 유휴 공간에서 확대 설치가 필요한 것으로 사료된다. 둘째, 경관영역에서는 익산 솜리 근대역사문화공간은 전문가가 일반인에 비해 경관을 높게 인식하였는데, 이는 일반인은 여행․관광, 역사․문화 체험 방문으로 보이는 그대로를 인식하였기에 전문가보다 낮은 인식으로 판단되며, 전문가는 향후 발전 가능성까지 고려하여 높게 인식한 것으로 판단된다. 또한, 영덕 영해장터거리 근대역사문화공간의 경우, 전문가가 일반인에 비해 경관을 낮게 인식하였는데, 이는 빈번한 담당자 교체로 지역의 특성 및 현황에 대한 업무 파악이 미흡하고, 규모만 보고 인식한 것으로 나타났다. 셋째, 도시재생 영역에서는 영덕 영해장터거리 근대역사문화공간과 서천 판교근대역사문화공간은 전문가가 일반인에 비해 도시재생을 낮게 인식하였는데, 조사 시 일반인이 대부분 지역주민으로 생활 터전에 대해 긍정적으로 인식한 것으로 판단된다. 익산 솜리근대역사문화공간의 경우, 전문가가 일반인에 비해 도시재생이 높게 나타났는데, 이는 전문가는 현재 도시재생 사업과 등록문화재 사업이 함께 추진되고 있다는 것을 정확히 파악하고 있기 때문에 일반인에 비해 도시재생에 대한 인식이 높은 것으로 사료된다.
This study explores the activation of near-modern historical and cultural spaces through an analysis of their evolution and changes in spatial significance. It involves on-site investigations and comparative analyses between different groups (the general public and experts) to examine the current status and perceptional characteristics. First, in the analysis of the current general status of near-modern historical and cultural spaces, eight sites are currently designated as near-modern historical and cultural spaces, with an average registered area of 55,260 square meters per site. In terms of utilization of individual registered cultural heritage sites, more than half of the sites in Mokpo Near-Modern Historical and Cultural Space, Yeongju Near-Modern Historical and Cultural Street, Gunsan Inland Port Historical and Cultural Space, and Jinhae Near-Modern Historical and Cultural Space are currently being utilized. Besides, most of the terrain is flat, and key landscape features such as rest areas and planters contribute to the streetscape. However, it is noted that there is a need for expanded installations in available vacant spaces. Second, in the landscape domain, it was observed that experts perceived the landscape of the Iksan Somni Near-Modern Historical and Cultural Space more favorably compared to the general public. This difference in perception could be attributed to the fact that the general public may perceive the space as it appears during their travel and tourism visits or history and culture experiences, without considering its potential for future development, whereas experts may have evaluated it more positively, taking into account its future growth possibilities. Besides, in the case of Yeongdeok Yeonghae Mart-site Street Near-Modern Historical and Cultural Space, it was noted that experts perceived the landscape less favorably compared to the general public. This discrepancy in perception could be attributed to inadequate understanding of the region’s characteristics and status due to frequent changes of the personnel responsible for the administrative affairs. The people in charge may have assessed the landscape solely based solely on its scale, leading to a less favorable perception for landscape. Third, in the urban regeneration domain, both the Yeongdeok Yeonghae Mart-site Street Near-Modern Historical and Cultural Space and the Seocheon Pangyo Near-Modern Historical and Cultural Space were perceived less favorably in terms of urban regeneration by experts compared to the general public. This is believed to be because, during the survey, the general public who were mostly local residents had a more positive perception of their own living environment. In the case of the Iksan Somni Near-Modern Historical and Cultural Space, experts perceived urban regeneration more positively compared to the general public. This seems because experts appear to have a higher perception of urban regeneration compared to the general public since they accurately understand that urban regeneration projects are being carried out in conjunction with cultural heritage preservation efforts. This suggests the need for regional specialization and policy capacity to enhance public awareness and understanding of urban regeneration, especially among the general population.