Busan is good

Ocean, People, and Environment: design-Busan 2026 Brings Bold Design Experiments to Busan

내용

Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Chun Jae-soo) announced that design-Busan 2026, a citywide design festival that transforms Busan into a stage for design, will take place over 11 days from November 5 to 15.

Under the theme of "Ocean, People, and Environment," the event will be held across six districts—Dongnae-gu, Dong-gu, Busanjin-gu, Haeundae-gu, Suyeong-gu, and Gangseo-gu. A total of 15 universities from 11 countries and 133 companies will participate, with 331 people, including citizens, university students, and designers, officially taking part in the event.

A Design Pavilion showcasing industrial heritage and discarded materials will be established at Dongil Rubber Belt's Dongnae Factory in Suan-dong, Dongnae-gu, where the opening ceremony will take place. The former rubber manufacturing plant will be transformed into an exhibition space where art and design come together.

Under the theme "From Waste to Wonder," the pavilion will showcase artworks created using materials left behind at the factory, including steel reinforcing bars, rubber scraps, discarded fishing nets, and Styrofoam.

The exhibition will also feature "My Bear," a large-scale polar bear sculpture standing more than 4 meters tall by artist Byun Dae-yong. Through artworks that give new life to discarded materials and aging industrial spaces, visitors will be encouraged to reflect on environmental issues.

A variety of programs will also offer university students, citizens, and travelers opportunities to experience design firsthand.

At the Global Collaboration Workshop, held at F1963 in Suyeong-gu, university students from nine countries will develop design concepts addressing everyday needs, including mobility services for older adults and sustainable beach furniture. Members of the public will also be able to create and exhibit their own mobiles inspired by Busan's iconic seagulls at F1963.

Award-winning works from DBEW 2026* will be displayed at the Art Hall in the domestic terminal of Gimhae International Airport in Gangseo-gu. Travelers will be able to view the artworks and take part in an interactive experience by sitting on chairs made from recycled discarded dolls, becoming part of the installations themselves.

* DBEW 2026: An international design award under the theme "Design Beyond East and West."

The Design Fair, scheduled for November 9 to 11 at the Busan Port International Exhibition & Convention Center (BPEX) in Dong-gu, will showcase domestic and international design alongside products and technologies developed by Busan-based companies.

Local companies, including Lumena, Oxford, and Acord, will participate, exhibiting products across a wide range of fields, including marine leisure equipment, household goods, and industrial design, each reflecting the company's distinctive story.

On November 10, business consultations between domestic and international buyers and participating companies will take place at the Business Lounge. Through these meetings, companies will explore opportunities for commercial transactions, business partnerships, and investment.

A Design Summit and Design Hackathon will also be held to discuss the city's future through design and explore solutions to Busan's urban challenges.

At the Design Summit on November 9, five experts from three countries will discuss the role of design in urban development, culture, industry, and public policy.

At the Design Hackathon on November 11, 110 participants organized into 10 teams will develop design ideas to address Busan's urban challenges, drawing on their diverse experiences and perspectives.

A Design Store will also operate, allowing citizens to discover locally designed products in familiar everyday spaces.

Products from 24 local companies will be showcased at F1963, Haeundae Platform, and KT&G Sangsangmadang. The selection will range from familiar household items to distinctive design merchandise and local brand products.

Building on Busan's designation as World Design Capital (WDC) 2028, the city plans to leverage its industrial heritage, cultural resources, and everyday spaces as design assets while expanding exchanges among domestic and international designers and companies.

Mayor Chun Jae-soo said, "Busan's ocean, factories, streets, and everyday spaces each hold their own stories and possibilities. I hope this event will provide an opportunity to rediscover their value, enabling everyone to enjoy design and work together to shape the future of our city."