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Busan City Selects Sites for “Vacant House Acquisition and Living SOC Development Project”

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The Busan Metropolitan City  announced on April 15 that it had selected four sites for its “Vacant House Acquisition and Living Social Overhead Capital (SOC) Development Project”, following an expert evaluation by a public-private council composed of vacant house specialists.

The project is part of an action plan stemming from Busan’s Vacant House Innovation Strategy launched in November 2024, which aims to improve residential environments and quality of life by repurposing vacant houses into useful community infrastructure (SOC).

Following an open call in March 2025, 10 sites were proposed by 7 districts and boroughs. Among these, 4 final sites were chosen—2 each in Yeongdo-gu and Dong-gu.

Selected Projects:

• ●[Yeongdo-gu]:
  Two vacant houses in Dongsam-dong and Cheonghak-dong will be acquired and renovated into dormitories for international students. The project is a collaboration between Busan City, Yeongdo-gu, and Korea Maritime & Ocean University.

• ●[Dong-gu]:
  Two vacant houses in Sujeong-dong will be demolished, and the site will be transformed into a small sports park with outdoor fitness equipment. The area, considered high-risk for building collapse and crime, will be made safer and healthier for local residents.

The Public-Private Council for Vacant House Redevelopment, established in February 2025, is composed of 9 experts including urban planner Woo Shin-goo, General Architect of Busan, and representatives from Korea Real Estate Board and Dong-Eui University. The council evaluates project proposals and advises on future policy directions.

Project Purpose and Goals:

• ●Transform unused and deteriorated properties into shared public assets

• ●Enhance urban safety, community well-being, and housing quality

• ●Prevent urban decline through strategic vacant house utilization

Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon commented:

“This is the city’s first project to convert vacant homes into shared public infrastructure. It represents a new model of community-centered urban revitalization. We will continue to identify properties and secure additional funding to lead innovation for future generations.”