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Reconnecting a Fragmented Urban Fabric: Busan’s 15-Minute City Unveils the Second Happy Challenge Flagship Model in Gwaebeop–Gamjeon

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it will hold a completion ceremony for the 15-Minute City “Second Happy Challenge” in the Gwaebeop–Gamjeon living area today (20th) at 2:30 p.m. at the newly created Sasang Square Road Green Carpet.

The ceremony will be attended by Mayor Park Heong-joon, Sasang-gu District Mayor Cho Byeong-gil, local residents, and others, totaling around 200 participants. The program will proceed in the following order: opening declaration, congratulatory remarks, celebratory messages, and a performance.

The Second Happy Challenge in the Gwaebeop–Gamjeon living area focuses on reconnecting and restoring urban environments—long divided by roadways and rail lines—back into cohesive living spaces.

The project includes a total of 15 initiatives designed to create people-centered streets, parks, and community spaces, thereby revitalizing local communities. The total project area spans 6.94 square kilometers, with a budget of 36.2 billion won.

In August 2023, the city designated Gwaebeop–Gamjeon as the site for the Second Happy Challenge and has since pursued various policy tasks in phases, incorporating expert consultations and establishing a governance framework for public–private cooperation.

The first major achievement is the “Sasang Square Road Green Carpet.” This initiative removes and reduces on-street parking and traffic lanes along the 580-meter section of Sasang Square Road to widen sidewalks and create a linear park.

The Green Carpet will also connect with the “Pedestrian Environment Improvement Project between Gwaenae Village and Sasang Park,” scheduled for completion next February.* This connection will link the Nakdong River, Sasang Station, and Gwaenae Village, allowing the entire area to function as one integrated living zone.

* Pedestrian Environment Improvement Project between Gwaenae Village and Sasang Park: Installation of a pedestrian bridge passing through Sasang Station to reconnect Gwaenae Village, which has been cut off by the Gyeongbu railway line.

Starting with this completion ceremony, the city plans to finalize the remaining policy initiatives for the Gwaebeop–Gamjeon living area under the Second Happy Challenge by 2027.

Remaining initiatives include:
▲ the “East–West Connection Road Comprehensive Improvement Project” to reconnect areas divided by the railway;
▲ the “Pet-Friendly Forest Walk” project, featuring a dog playground and cultural space;
▲ the “Nakdong Embankment Life Flower Road Project,” which will install landscape lighting and sound along the Nakdong River embankment; and
▲ the “Giggly Park Project,” which will create a multifunctional water play area within Sasang Park.

To commemorate the completion, the city will also host side events from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the same location.

These events will include:
▲ an outdoor library;
▲ 15-minute city experience booths;
▲ the “Residents’ Window”* program (AI portrait snapshots, Christmas card making);
▲ a flea market; and
▲ street busking performances.
These activities will transform the Sasang Square Road Green Carpet into a space full of diverse events.

* Residents’ Window: A program supporting residents of Happy Challenge flagship areas to propose and implement ideas that revitalize the local community.

Meanwhile, Busan Metropolitan City continues to expand key anchor facilities of the “15-Minute City Busan” model across all districts.

These include:
▲ the “National Sports Center”;
▲ “Deullak Nallak,” an integrated cultural complex for children;
▲ “Haha Center,” a social participation space for the new senior generation; and
▲ the “Our Neighborhood ESG Center,” an eco-friendly senior employment facility.
Through such facilities, the city is accelerating efforts to create an environment where residents can enjoy diverse everyday services—including leisure, culture, education, and relaxation—within their living area.

Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “Today’s completed Happy Challenge project marks the first step in transforming a fragmented city into one that is connected. It also forms a key linkage axis for connecting green spaces throughout Sasang-gu. Moving forward, we will continue building diverse 15-minute city infrastructure that enables citizens to enjoy culture and leisure and share meaningful connections, ultimately enhancing the quality and dignity of everyday life across Busan.”