National Pukyong University Student Wins 'Busan Mayor's Award' in Busan Future Generation Policy Idea Contest

Kim Ha-young, Major in Social Welfare, Proposes Idea to Transform Vacant Houses into Play Shelters

Kim Ha-young, a sophomore majoring in Social Welfare at Pukyong National University, won the Busan Mayor's Award at the 'Busan Future Generation Policy Idea Contest.'

Kim Ha-young, a sophomore majoring in Social Welfare at National Pukyong University.

Kim Ha-young received high praise for her proposal titled "Spaces Created by Children and Residents, Play Shelters" at the contest held under the theme "Busan Where Future Generations Want to Stay, Ideas for Balanced Urban Development."

The contest, hosted by Busan City and the Busan Development Institute, conducted the first round of judging in September and the second round in October, announcing the final three winners of the Excellence Award (Busan Mayor's Award) on October 29.

In her proposal, Kim Ha-young suggested transforming vacant houses selected by children and residents into play shelters to guarantee the rights of children as the future generation and to revitalize the local community, which was well recognized.

To address the deteriorating residential environment caused by vacant houses and the lack of play spaces for children, she proposed a project plan involving vacant house owners, Busan City, children, and residents to participate in investigating and selecting vacant houses, demolition, gathering opinions, creating play shelters, and reflecting feedback.

Kim Ha-young said, "By converting vacant houses into play shelters, we can guarantee children's right to play safely, create neighborhoods where people want to stay, form positive communities, and expect effects such as improved residential environments, enhanced quality of life, and reduced population outflow."

Kim Ha-young, together with Professor Oh Young-sam (Social Welfare), planned and submitted this proposal with support from the National University Development Project (The Role and Participation of National Universities in Promoting Community Health Post-COVID-19: Focusing on Community Health and Welfare Living Labs), achieving excellent results.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.