Busan’s 15-Minute City Celebrated Globally as a Sustainable Urban Model, Winning Both the Gold Award and Criteria Award at 2025 LivCom Awards
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Busan’s 15-Minute City Celebrated Globally as a Sustainable Urban Model, Winning Both the Gold Award and Criteria Award at 2025 LivCom Awards
□ Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) gained two distinctions at the 2025 LivCom Awards, which pays recognition to exemplary practices in shaping livable communities; its 15-Minute City scheme secured the Gold Award in Whole City category as well as the Criteria Award for Sustainable Planning and Management Policies.
○ Endorsed by the United Nations Environment Programme and now in its 23rd year since establishment in 1997, the LivCom Awards review approaches adopted by cities and local governments to improve residents’ wellbeing.
○ This year saw strong competition, with 281 applicants from 52 countries. Of these, 30 cities and 37 projects advanced to the finals.
□ Under the theme ‘Culture Innovation for Sustainable Urban Future,’ the final round took place in Istanbul, Türkiye, from November 18, 2025, at 18:00 (local time) through November 21.
○ It was co-organized by multiple organizations, including the International Society of City and Regional Planners and the United Nations Centre for Regional Development.
○ During the opening ceremony, Angela Kane, Chair of the LivCom Committee and ex-United Nations Under-Secretary-General, accompanied by other UN representatives and prominent figures, highlighted the crisis facing modern cities and underscored the importance of resilience and sustainability.
□ Busan was invited to the finals in the E category* (population over 1 million) of the Whole City division, together with leading metropolises such as ▲ Vienna, Austria, ▲ São Paulo, Brazil, and ▲ Baoding, China. At the presentation ceremony on November 21, Busan was announced as the Gold Award recipient.
○ Among the six criteria**, Busan was rated the highest out of the 30 finalists in Sustainable Planning and Management Policies, acknowledged for its comprehensive methodology in implementing its 15-minute city strategy, and was granted the Criteria Award as well—marking a double victory at the event.
*According to population size: A (up to 75,000) to E (1,000,001 and above)
** ① Enhancement of the Landscapes and Public Spaces, ② Arts, Culture, and Heritage Management, ③ Environmental Protection and Green Economy, ④ Community Participation and Empowerment, ⑤ Healthy Lifestyle, ⑥ Sustainable Planning and Management Policies
□ On November 20 at 08:30 local time, Busan unveiled its 15-minute city innovation as a showcase of ‘Cultural Innovation for Sustainable Urban Future,’ which emphasized enriching cultural experiences with close-knit neighbors.
○ Busan stressed shifting the focus of culture from mere development to citizens and from cars and buildings to people and walkability.
○ It also spotlighted climate-responsive and sustainable endeavors: ▲ the 15-Minute City Happy Challenge, encouraging pedestrian-friendly living, ▲ Busan Citizens Park, transformed from a long-standing United States military base, ▲ F1963, a former wire factory repurposed into a creative arts complex, and ▲ Our Neighborhood ESG Center, which simultaneously addresses environmental stewardship and senior employment.
□ Judges gave their keen attention to Busan’s resilient initiatives and forward-thinking measures designed for the increasing elderly generation.
○ The panel noted, “Busan’s 15-minute city framework is a tangible and pioneering effort that links sustainability with everyday life and can be considered a benchmark for urban centers elsewhere.”
□ Mayor Park commented, “These recognitions demonstrate the excellence of our 15-minute city model and affirm that Busan, a city one would wish to live in again if born anew, has attained world-class status. With ‘15-Minute City Busan’ as the foundation, we will continue sharing best practices internationally and championing sustainable progress.”
