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Busan Metropolitan City Completes HAHA Campus Seed Project… Mayor Park Heong-joon: “We will expand it by living zones reflecting regional and university characteristics”

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it has completed the “HAHA Campus” seed project within the Catholic University of Busan and will fully open major facilities for use by all citizens.

The “HAHA Campus” is a large-scale senior complex that utilizes idle facilities at local universities to integrate functions such as culture and leisure, health and sports, education, jobs and social contribution, and the silver industry, thereby supporting a healthy and active later life for older adults.

On the afternoon of the 23rd, Mayor Park Heong-joon will visit the Catholic University of Busan to discuss ways to activate the HAHA Campus with Bishop Son Sam-seok of the Catholic Diocese of Busan, tour major facilities, and encourage participants in educational programs.

Ahead of full-scale operation, Busan Metropolitan City has invested a total of KRW 4.5 billion since 2024 to create and operate a citizen-centered complex space on campus that combines functions of health and care, education and leisure, and sports and relaxation.

Following an agreement in March 2024 with the Catholic University of Busan to open the seminary campus to the public, the city has carried out various seed projects, all of which were completed last March. These include the development of outdoor sports facilities (sports field, pickleball courts, and running track), operation of HAHA education programs, establishment and operation of the HAHA Health Center, creation of a barrier-free sharing trail (walking path), development of a senior health playground and red clay trail, and establishment of a public library. Pickleball is a senior-friendly racket sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis.

From the end of April, citizens will be able to check information on HAHA Campus facilities through the HAHA Campus website (www.busan.go.kr/hahacampus) and apply to reserve outdoor sports facilities such as the sports field and pickleball courts.

Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “The HAHA Campus is a nationwide model of mutual growth that organically combines universities’ idle resources with the 15-minute city policy to integrate education, culture, and health functions, thereby improving the quality of life of citizens and older adults and helping build sustainable social networks.” He added, “Starting with the Catholic University of Busan, we will expand the development of HAHA Campus hubs by living zones, including Kosin University and the western Busan area, reflecting the characteristics of each region and university.”