The Impact of Spatial Distribution of Public Leisure and Cultural Facilities on Perceived Accessibility: A Focus on Small and Medium-Sized Cities in South Korea

To meet the growing demand for everyday leisure and improve land use efficiency, high-density mixed-use development and compact, spatially efficient planning strategies are increasingly being adopted in small and medium-sized cities. This study investigates how the spatial distribution of public leisure and cultural facilities affects residents' perceived accessibility in this context. Key indicators include spatial concentration, spatial equity, and diversity, analyzed using a multilevel ordinal logistic regression model—an extension of the Hierarchical Linear Model (HLM). The findings reveal that higher spatial concentration is significantly associated with greater perceived accessibility. Notably, several cities in Jeollanam-do demonstrate high accessibility perceptions despite a limited number of facilities, due to their strategic placement within core neighborhood zones. Conversely, spatial equity and diversity showed no significant effect. These results suggest that high-density development strategies can be effective even in smaller cities and highlight the importance of neighborhood-level planning that achieves a balance between concentration and equity.