Busan is good

Busan Connects with Citizens Through Architecture, Envisioning a City of Inclusivity and Resilience

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Chun Jae-soo) announced that the 2026 Korea International Architecture Festival & Busan Architecture Exhibition will take place from today (October 27) through October 31 at Hall 3A of BEXCO Exhibition Center 1.

This year's festival, themed "MULTIPLICITY: The City of Inclusivity and Resilience," aims to explore sustainable living environments and the future of cities and architecture amid rapid social change and the climate crisis.

The festival is hosted by the Korean Institute of Architects and organized by its Busan Chapter, with support from Busan Metropolitan City, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Presidential Commission on Architecture Policy. Through exhibitions, international exchange exhibitions, special lectures, academic forums, and public participation programs, architects and citizens will have opportunities to share perspectives on the value of cities and architecture.

A highlight of the event will be the Busan Pavilion Special Exhibition, featuring content previously presented at the Busan Pavilion during the International Union of Architects (UIA) World Congress of Architects. The exhibition will examine how Busan's topography and living environments have influenced the city's development and architecture.

The UIA World Congress of Architects, held every three years since 1948, is a major international event attended by architects and industry professionals from around the world and is often described as the Olympics of architecture.

The exhibition will explore how Busan's distinctive terrain and living environments, including its hillsides, coastline, alleys, and stairways, have shaped the city's development and architecture. Maps, topographical models, image collages, and videos will illustrate Busan's urban structure and everyday cityscapes.

In particular, a selection of 17 architectural works in Busan will showcase architectural solutions developed in response to the city's terrain and urban environment. Videos recreating pedestrian experiences along hillsides and urban beaches will vividly convey Busan's distinctive urban character and spatial appeal.

The opening ceremony, scheduled for today (October 27), will include the 2026 Busan Architecture Awards ceremony. An exhibition featuring this year's award-winning projects will also be held throughout the festival.

This year's Busan Architecture Awards Gold Prize went to Lotti Forest in Dongnae-gu, while Silver Prizes were awarded to Layered Monolith in Jung-gu and Mangmi Culture Share Center in Suyeong-gu. The Architect of the Year Award will be presented to architect Kang Dae-hwa, CEO of Total Architects & Associates, and the Emerging Architect Award to architect Lee Gi-cheol, CEO of Architect K.

The award-winning projects will be presented through architectural videos, models, and other materials. Visitors can also join the 2026 Busan Architecture Awards Citizens' Tour to explore major award-winning buildings with commentary from their designers, experiencing firsthand the value of architecture and Busan's outstanding architectural culture.

A diverse range of programs, including special lectures and forums, will also provide opportunities to discuss the future of architecture and cities.

On October 28, architect Yoo Hyun-joon will deliver a special lecture titled "Busan's Spaces and Future," exploring the potential of Busan's urban spaces and directions for their future development.

On October 29, the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Chapter of the Architectural Institute of Korea will host a forum titled "The Future of Apartment Housing in Busan's Aging Residential Neighborhoods." Drawing on examples of aging residential areas along Busan's hillside roads and social housing in France, the forum will discuss approaches to improving residential environments.

On October 30, the 57th Open Busan Urban Architecture Forum will be held under the theme "Housing in Busan: Collective Housing and the Role of the Public Sector." The forum will be hosted by Busan Metropolitan City and organized by Sangji E&A Engineering & Architects Co., Ltd.

Yoon Il-yi, CEO of ILLI Architects, will present "Busan's Early Apartment Buildings and Policy-Driven Relocation Settlements: Light and Shadow in Housing History and the Role of the Public Sector." Park Mi-kyung, CEO of Sanglim Architects, will deliver a presentation titled "The Evolution of Apartment Housing: Changes in Residential Living and Urban Landscapes."

In addition, the 6th Busan Architecture Film Festival will take place from today (October 27) through October 30 at the Small Theater of the Busan Cinema Center.

The film festival is hosted by Busan Metropolitan City and jointly organized by the Busan Chapter of the Korea Institute of Registered Architects, the Busan International Architectural Festival Organizing Committee, and the Women's Committee of the Busan Chapter of the Korea Institute of Registered Architects.

A total of 12 screenings will be held over four days, offering citizens and architecture professionals opportunities to view cities and spaces from new perspectives through the lens of architecture.

Kim Hyo-sook, Director-General of the Housing and Architecture Bureau of Busan Metropolitan City, said, "With the Korea International Architecture Festival taking place in Busan, we hope this event will provide an opportunity for architecture professionals and citizens to discover together the value of Busan's urban environment and architecture, and to consider the future of a sustainable city."

She added, "We will continue to expand opportunities for citizens to experience and appreciate architectural culture through diverse programs, while working to advance the development of architectural culture in the region."