The objective of the study is to establish principles of space planning required to create community gardens for improving self-support capability of vulnerable groups. The characteristics of community garden users and the purposes of community gardens were considered when setting these principles. The target users are vulnerable groups. In considering the circumstance of the homeless who have difficulties in overcoming physical, mental, social and financial risks, 13 universal design principles were applied: Equitable use, flexibility in use, simple and intuitive use, perceptible information, tolerance for error, low physical effort, size and space for approach and use, self-supporting, aesthetics, economic feasibility, environment friendly, healthiness, and sustainability. As the space planning principles based on the community garden purposes are set to achieve mental, social and financial self-support, healing garden and urban agriculture were combined in the principles. Maximally efficient division of space where various programs are available, privacy-protected space, rest areas for strengthening resilience and health, pleasant and beautiful spaces with plants, easily accessible and safe space, and easy maintenance and sustainability are required factors for community gardens. As the ultimate goal, financial self-support, a space where they can develop acquired skills and then proceed with productive activities was included in the space planning principles. Additionally, ecological aspects such as cycle of materials, efficient energy use and expanded biodiversity were combined and supported by local communities to secure sustainability of the use of space.

• Sook Mee Lee(Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Dongguk University)
• In Ho Kim(Department of Environment and Landscape Architecture, Shingu College) Corresponding author