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Citizens to Shape the Future of Busan’s Original Downtown: “Living Area Plan Citizen Participation Group” Officially Launched

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Busan Metropolitan City, led by Mayor Chun Jae-soo, announced that it will officially launch the Living Area Plan (Original Downtown Area) Citizen Participation Group with a ceremony at 2:00 p.m. today (July 13) in the International Conference Hall of City Hall, marking the beginning of its full-scale activities to establish a citizen-led and widely supported Living Area Plan.

The project is being carried out based on the vision of the Busan Urban Master Plan 2040. It aims to conduct a more detailed analysis of citizens’ everyday living spaces, restore vitality to the original downtown areas that have experienced decline due to population loss and aging, and establish a proactive urban planning framework.

The launch ceremony will be attended by Mayor Chun Jae-soo, Cho Sang-jin, Chair of the Busan Metropolitan Council’s Construction and Transportation Committee, and approximately 130 members of the Citizen Participation Group. The program will include the opening declaration, welcoming remarks by the Mayor, congratulatory remarks by the committee chair, a commemorative photo session, a special lecture titled “Understanding the Living Area Plan” by Chief Planner Professor Choi Yeol, an introduction to upcoming workshop plans, and a quiz on the Living Area Plan.

The Living Area Plan (Original Downtown Area) project covers Jung-gu, Seo-gu, Dong-gu, Yeongdo-gu, Busanjin-gu, and Nam-gu, with 2040 as the target year.

The project has a total budget of KRW 1.5 billion. It began in November 2025 and is scheduled for completion in November 2027.

The Citizen Participation Group launched today will identify key issues and local assets in the original downtown while helping establish its future vision, thereby creating a future blueprint that reflects the voices of local residents.

The group will also play a key role in directly assessing deficiencies in neighborhood living SOC infrastructure—including cultural, sports, childcare, and welfare facilities—and in establishing a balanced supply system focused on underserved areas.

Ideas and opinions collected through upcoming workshops for the medium-scale living area (original downtown area) and district-level neighborhood living areas will be actively incorporated into future spatial planning and sector-specific spatial management guidelines for the original downtown.

In addition, Busan Metropolitan City plans to strengthen the effectiveness of its policies by establishing the necessary institutional foundation, including the enactment and revision of ordinances and guidelines related to living infrastructure support, so that proposals from the Citizen Participation Group can be implemented promptly as practical projects.

Mayor Chun Jae-soo said, “A Living Area Plan that citizens can relate to and experience firsthand is the starting point for building a city of balanced growth where every neighborhood is a great place to live. I encourage all members of the Citizen Participation Group to take an active role with pride in helping shape the future of the communities where they live.”

He added, “Busan Metropolitan City will continue to reflect the diverse voices of its citizens in policymaking to create a city where everyday life is more convenient and fulfilling for everyone.”