The size of lands under apple cultivation in Jangseong-gun is very small in comparison with those of other domestic main apple-growing areas. However, public opinion to improve the competitiveness of the apple industry by grouping apple cultivation districts together has been formed among local growers of Jangseong-gun through the influence of implementation of Development- Encouraging District Projects as well as Rural New Town Projects.
On that ground, this study aims at ① examining given conditions of Jangseong-gun and analyzing the business feasibility before creating an apple-growing town, ② framing development process of the Jangseong Apple Town, planning its space uses, and setting up management operation plans, ③ presenting a future vision to encourage sustainable growth of the apple- growing industry in Jangseong-gun, ④ developing various supporting programs to boost branding of high quality apples, ⑤ drawing up plans to relate the business to various government-policy initiatives or local developing activities, ⑥ forming practical schemes to lower a sale-in-lots price of the Jangseong Apple Town, and so on.
This study mainly concerns ① deciding development sizes of each proposed place, ② mapping out development courses and other general aspects, ③ speculating the business feasibility through estimating costs and benefits, ④ setting up business operating plans including development methods by development stages, and so on.
The expected outputs of the Jangseong Apple Town Project are as follows:
① reducing facility expenses through sharing farming machines, cargo stations, and fruit packing houses
② making a retrenchment in labors through joint agricultural activity units
③ increasing bargaining powers in markets
④ standardizing and enhancing product quality through exchanging information and technologies among members
⑤improving technologies such as innovating plants, securing a research-and- development base, and introducing new growing technologies
⑥ ‘creating a scenery’ to offer amusing sightseeing experiences to visitors
⑦ contributing to the tourism sector of Jangseong-gun
⑧ converting from rice or grass farming to more profitable farming
⑨ establishing a synergy-creating base related to the tourism sector
To ensure the feasibility of the Jangseong Apple Town, Project in Jangseong, proposed site conditions, town development courses, and economic aspects were analyzed. The target period of the economic feasibility test was 2010 to 2031. 2010 is the year when investments start, and 2031 is twenty years after the completion of the project in 2012. The estimated durability of the building was approximately twenty years, and the estimated residual value was 10%. This information was reflected to the analysis. 6.5% of social discount rate was applied to calculate current values of costs and benefits.
Roughly outlined land uses of the Jangseong Apple Town are divided into four parts by functions: apple-growing areas, production and distribution facility areas, experience and recreation facility areas, and research test plots.
Ownerships or managing rights for the town should be allocated to separate entities(a public or a private body) by sections and facilities; however, a system to manage the Jangseong Apple Town as a whole in a cooperative relationship is essential. On that ground, tentatively named ‘Jangseong Apple Town Operating Association’ should be created and operated.
Schemes to relate the apple-growing town creating project to government-policy programs of Jangseong-gun that could expend financial resources on the town creating project or complement the project were speculated. Moreover, town developing methods by business developing bodies were roughly presented: direct development by Jangseong-gun, development by a private body, and development by mixed bodies. Besides, financial resource raising plans by such developing methods were also contemplated.