Busan is good

The Busan Metropolitan City to Host “Big Data Utilization Contest” – A Platform for Solving Regional Issues Through Data Analysis

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The Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it will host the Big Data Utilization Contest, a participatory data innovation program, from April 21 to July 11.

This contest invites participants to define social problems related to regional issues using public data and open platforms such as Big-Data Wave and the Busan Data Open Lab, and to propose practical solutions through data analysis. (*Big: Busan is good)

The contest is hosted by The Busan Metropolitan City and organized by Busan Technopark.

The competition consists of two tracks:

• ●Track 1: Big Data Analysis – Participants analyze various public and private data related to Busan to generate actionable insights and propose improvements to policies and services.

• ●Track 2: Big Data Discovery and Utilization Planning – Participants propose ideas for integrating and creatively utilizing public data.

This year’s contest features expanded collaboration with the Gyeongnam Research Institute and the Daegu Digital Innovation Agency, allowing participants to utilize data from not only Busan but also the Gyeongnam and Daegu regions. This facilitates interregional data analysis and the generation of ideas to tackle shared challenges.

Through a preliminary screening process, around 50 individuals have been selected to participate. Over a nine-week period, participants will carry out assignments at the Busan Big Data Innovation Center’s collaborative workspace and online platform, following a process of:

• 1.Problem Definition

• 2.Data Preprocessing and Analysis

• 3.Result Presentation and Policy Proposal

Participants may compete individually or in teams. They will receive full access to data environments such as the Data Open Lab and Big-Data Wave platform, with strong support throughout the competition.

Participants will also receive customized mentoring from professionals—including data scientists and planners—on techniques such as data analysis, visualization, and policy application strategies.

Outstanding teams selected through document review and presentation will receive awards and the opportunity to participate in future programs at the Busan Big Data Innovation Center.

Jeong Na-young, Director-General of Future Technology Strategy at The Busan Metropolitan City, stated, “In the era of artificial intelligence, data is a core resource and a critical foundation for addressing and solving local challenges. We expect this contest to expand data-based problem-solving efforts beyond Busan into the wider Yeongnam region, and to set a meaningful precedent for interregional cooperation and collaborative data analysis.”

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[Contest Overview: Big Data Utilization Contest]

■ Period: April 21 – July 11, 2025 (11 weeks)
■ Location: Busan Big Data Innovation Center (CENTAP, 7th floor)
■ Eligibility: Open to individuals or teams (1–4 people) with an interest in data utilization
■ Organizer: The Busan Metropolitan City
■ Host: Busan Technopark
■ Sponsors: Gyeongnam Research Institute, Daegu Digital Innovation Agency, Dongnam Regional Statistics Office, Busan Tourism Organization, Busan Transportation Corporation, Busan Metropolitan Corporation, Busan Infrastructure Corporation, Busan Environmental Corporation
■ Awards: Four top teams will receive the Mayor’s Award; additional awards include Director’s Awards from Busan Technopark, Gyeongnam Research Institute, and Daegu Digital Innovation Agency

■ Tracks:

• ●Track 1: Data Analysis for Policy/Service Insights

• ●Track 2: Idea Planning for Data Discovery and Utilization

• ●Bonus points awarded for use of Data Open Lab and Big-Data Wave platform; mentoring provided

■ Key Dates:

• ●Contest Announcement: April 21

• ●Applications: April 21 – May 2

• ●Preliminary Screening: By June 27

• ●Final Presentation & Awards: July 11