Busan is good

Korea’s Largest Companion Animal Culture Park in Cheolma Moves Forward with Urban Management Plan Approval

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced today (May 28) that with the decision on the Urban Management Plan (Cheolma Neighborhood Park) officially announced, the city will begin full-scale promotion of the Companion Animal Culture Park in the Cheolma-myeon area of Gijang-gun.

From January to February of this year, the city conducted public viewing of the plan and coordinated with relevant institutions and departments. The plan passed through Busan Metropolitan Council in March and was approved by the Urban Planning Committee in early May, thereby finalizing the Urban Management Plan (Cheolma Neighborhood Park).

This milestone comes just six months after the park project passed the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s review of development restriction zone (GB) management plans in November 2024—a significant accomplishment for the city.

The city plans to invest KRW 35.5 billion in a 241,000㎡ site in Guchil-ri, Cheolma-myeon to create Korea’s largest Companion Animal Culture Park. With a growing number of households raising pets and increasing demand for healthy pet culture, the park aims to provide a recreational space where both pet owners and non-pet owners can enjoy together.

The finalized urban management plan includes facilities that are friendly to companion animals, such as dog playgrounds, walking trails, and rest areas, as well as community and educational spaces accessible to all residents.

Planned features include:

• ●“Empathy Trail” walking paths

• ●A global-themed garden

• ●“Empathy Playground” for pets

• ●A pet training center

• ●A companion plant garden

• ●A local market street

With this urban planning decision as a starting point, the city will sequentially implement the following steps: establishing a detailed park development plan, completing detailed designs, securing the necessary budget, and commencing construction as soon as compensation is finalized.

Once completed, the park is expected to stimulate the local economy by offering a venue for community markets and related programs, particularly benefiting residents who have been marginalized due to dual regulatory restrictions.

Additionally, the park will host various programs that promote community engagement and regional cooperation, such as outdoor weddings with companion animals, fostering the development of a new and inclusive pet culture.

Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “At a time when the population of pet owners is increasing and the importance of animal welfare is growing, this decision on the urban management plan represents a meaningful step toward establishing Busan as a leading city in pet culture. We will continue to communicate closely with local residents to create a happy and harmonious space for both citizens and companion animals.”