Teaching Environment Assessment in Korean Universities: The Case of Yonsei University

-Experiences and Challenges 1 Dec. 2009 Environmental Planning & Assessment Centre, Yonsei University Prof. Mu Choon Lee

Outline

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Introduction Changes in regulations related to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

3

Status of Undergraduate and Graduate Programs

4

EIA course in Yonsei University

5

Challenges and Future Direction

2009.12.01

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1. Introduction

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Occurrences of environmental problems from 1970s as a result of the national development project (The first environmental accident in Korea which became a social issue was the onset of Onsan Disease in 1983)



Need for strategies to deal with environmental issues

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EIA system introduced in environmental conservation law in 1977

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Increase of demand on professional human resources

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EA education in Universities

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Purpose of the presentation: To analyze current EA education system in Korea and provide implications for future directions in EA education

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2. Changes of regulations related to Environmental Impact Assessment

• Environmental conservation law (1977)

1970 - 1979

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1980 - 1989

• Regulation on preparing environmental impact assessment reports (1981) • Comprehensive EIA law (1999) • EIA law (1993) • Basic law of environ mental policy (1990)

1990 - 1999

• Guideline of designation and management of acting agents of EIA(1997) • Review handbook of EIA reports(1997) • Standard of calculation of preparation cost of EIA reports (1994) • Prior Environmental Review System(1993) • • Laws on EIA and etc. (2009) EIA law (2008)

2000 -

• Health Impact Assessment (2010) • Negotiation system of natural landscape (2006) • Enactment of guideline for deciding scope of items of EIA(2004) • Process regulation of SEA(2004) • Guideline of rules of EIA(2001) 4

2. Changes of regulations related to Environmental Impact Assessment

EIA 1970 - 1979 2009.12.1

1980 - 1989 EP EMS 1990 - 1999 5 SEA 2000 -

2. Changes of regulations related to Environmental Impact Assessment

 Environmental impact assessment laws & regulations become more refined, and projects associated with environmental impact assessment increased  Legislation and regulations provided means for controlling imprudent developments  In Europe, EIA is part of the field of geography or environmental planning; however in Korea, it is closer to the field of environmental technology. (Development of preparation technique of environmental impact assessment per project, 1989)  The environmental plan or environmental management system is not well established in Korean legislation, and its power is very low. 2009.12.1

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2. Changes of regulations related to Environmental Impact Assessment

 Perceived social value of the EIA system has been increased.

 Solution of environmental problems generated during development is seen to be possible through EIA system.

 However, on the other hand, there is disappointment as EIA system is used toward developer’s advantage.  It is very important to establish objectivity of assessments results under current system.

 Importance of university education for EA has been increased in order to solve these problems and to assure the positive function of EIA 7 2009.12.1

3. Status of Undergraduate and Graduate Schools

 Undergraduate programs 1) 4 year U niversities with EIA courses 4 year Universities with EIA classes comprise 48 out of 161, which is 30%.

30% 70% EIA Classes not Offered EIA Classes Offered

EIA Classes in 4 year Universities

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3. Status of Undergraduate and Graduate Schools

 Undergraduate programs (Environmental Engineering) 2) Students taking EIA classes

Students Taking EIA Classes by Grade

2% 4% 4% 90% sophomore Junior Senior common 9 2009.12.1

3. Status of Undergraduate and Graduate Schools

 Undergraduate programs (Environmental Engineering) 3) Characteristic of the course The course was mainly offered as an elective 2% Electives Requirements 98% 10 2009,12,1

3. Status of Undergraduate and Graduate Schools

 Undergraduate program (Environmental Engineering) 4) Professors in charge: full-time vs part-time instructors 60% of the EIA lectures are done by full-time professors 40% 60% full time part time 11 2009.12.1

3. Status of Undergraduate and Graduate Schools

 Graduate Programs 1)

General Graduate School

 Yonsei University Year of establishment • In March 1991: Master course of department of environmental science at General Graduate School • In March 1994: Ph.D course of the department of environmental science at General Graduate School Major field: Environmental engineering - Courses offered: High Water Purification Processing, Biological Water Processing, Water Quality Contamination (Membrane separation), Radiation Environment, Atmosphere Pollution, Soil and Underground Water Contamination, Analysis Chemistry. Noise and Vibration, Industrial Safety and Sanitation, Environment Planning and Policy, Wastes and Incineration, Environmental Impact Assessment 12 2009,12,1

3. Status of Undergraduate and Graduate Schools

 Graduate Programs  KyeMyung University - Year of establishment: • In October 1995: Master course of the department of en vironmental science at General Graduate School • In October 1997: Ph. D course of the department of envir onmental science at General Graduate School - Major fields: Environmental science, environment planning, energy environment science - EIA opening: Special discussion of environmental impact assessment (A common course) 13 2009,12,1

3. Status of Undergraduate and Graduate Schools

 Graduate Programs 1)

Special Graduate School

 Kwangwoon University - Environment Graduate School, established in 2002 - Fields of major: Environmental engineering Environment management major (In 2003) Environmental impact assessment major (In September 2006) 14 2009.12.1

3. Status of Undergraduate and Graduate Schools

Summary

 48 universities out of 161 (30%) have EIA courses as part of their program universities  Majority of students taking EIA classes are seniors  Only 2% were offered as a major requirement  EIA classes are mostly taught by full-time professors 2009.12.1

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3. Status of Undergraduate and Graduate Schools

Summary (cont’d)

 Majority (80%) of the environmental impact assessment courses are part of the dept of envir onmental engineering.

 Some environmental impact assessment courses are provided as part of the department of landsca pe and urban planning  Most of the courses used an environmental engineering approach 16 2009.12.1

4. EIA course in Yonsei University

1) Course offered in Dept of Environmental Engineering 2) EIA courses comprise 6% of total graduation credits 3) Main contents of the course - EIA system - Role of EIA in sustainable development - EIA process - Limitation of EIA - Role as a coordinator - Broad overview than in-depth information 2009.12.1

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4. EIA course in Yonsei University

3) Curriculum of the EIA course

Weeks Contents

1 week 2 week 3 week 4 week 5 week 6 week 7 week 8 week Sustainable Development and EIA Strategic Environmental Assessment(SEA) SEA of Other countries Case study Prior Environmental Review System Case Study Environmental Impact Assessment System Development of Environmental Impact Assessment Similar system of EIA Case Study Social Impact Assessment(SIA) Health Impact Assessment(HIA) Principles of EIA Midterm Exam 2009.12.1

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4. EIA course in Yonsei University Weeks

9 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12 Week 13 Week 14 Week 15 Week 16 Week

Contents

3D of EIA - Organizational aspect - Procedural aspect - Aspect of contents Environment information data (GIS, environmental map and etc) - screening - scoping - PEIA : Post Enviromental Impact Assessment) Field Trip Environment information data (GIS, environmental map and etc) Environment information data (GIS, environmental map and etc) Comprehensive assessment technique Cast Study of EIA Final Exam ※

Main textbook and reference literatures: - Self-developed class materials and other text books

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5. Challenges and Future Direction

 Need for professional education that highlights the role as a coordinator to organize and integrate environmental areas (less focus on environmental technology)  Need for education on strategic environmental assessment which is critical to adjust social conflicts  Need for including fieldwork hours in the curriculum  Increased international collaboration and interaction to improve the quality of university education on EIA  Collaboration among EIA universities in Korea  Establishment of a standard to assure the quality of EIA courses 2009.12.1

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References

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Im-Soon Kim, Won-Wuk Choi, Sang-Uk Han, 2005, A study on building competence and plans to introduce professional qualification system for efficient implementation of EIA

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Jong-Sung Park, August 2009, A study on developing classes of qualification of environmental impact assessors

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Korean Educational Development Institute - Mu-Choon Lee, 2000, A study on development courses and improvement plans of environment impact assessment system of Korea. - Mu-Choon Lee, 2003, Grand discussion conference on plans to cultivate and to create demand for environmental technical manpower, April 21, 2003, Korea environment technicians association

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Sang-Wook Han, 1998, Looking forward to internal substantiation of EIA, No. 1 Vol. 7 EIA - Sang-Wook Han, November 16, 2007, Accomplishments of EIAsystem for 30 years, Fall academic conference in the 30 th commemoration of environmental impact assessment, and Joint civilian and the government assessment forum

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LOGO

Environmental Planning & Assessment Centre Yonsei University Prof. Mu Choon Lee [email protected]