Busan Accelerates Redevelopment of Aging Planned Cities... First Official Notification Outside the Seoul Metropolitan Area

Hwamyeong, Gumgok, and Haeundae
Phase 1 Redevelopment Project Enters Full Swing

Busan City is accelerating the restructuring of its urban framework for the future by initiating a full-scale redevelopment project for its aging planned cities.

The city announced on April 8, 2026, that it had received approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport for the first phase of the Basic Plan for the Redevelopment of Aging Planned Cities (covering Hwamyeong-Gumgok and Haeundae areas), and has officially notified the public. This marks the first such case outside the Seoul metropolitan area, signifying that the reconstruction of aging cities in non-capital regions has entered a full-fledged phase.

The target areas for this first phase include the Hwamyeong-Gumgok district in Buk-gu and the Jwadong-Jungdong area in Haeundae-gu.

The Hwamyeong-Gumgok district, covering approximately 2.71 million square meters, will be developed with the goal of creating a “city embracing forests and rivers.” The plan includes expanding core living infrastructure centered around transit-oriented areas and establishing a 15-minute living zone. It also involves building a green and blue network that connects mountainous terrain and streams. The floor area ratio will be raised from 232% to a maximum of 350%, and the planned population will increase from 75,000 to 97,000.

Current Status of Aging Planned Cities in Busan.

The Haeundae district, spanning about 3.05 million square meters, will focus on expanding mixed-use communities and infrastructure along the axis connecting the new Haeundae Station and Haeundae Beach. Plans include the introduction of autonomous buses and the creation of a pedestrian-centered green corridor. The floor area ratio will be raised from 250% to 360%, and the planned population will expand from 84,000 to 112,000.

To prevent delays, the city is introducing a fast-track administrative system. It will operate a Special Redevelopment Plan Advisory Committee to facilitate early-stage consultations, and will form joint councils with organizations such as the Office of Education to proactively address issues like school capacity.

Resident participation will also be strengthened. Through a resident council, the city will link opinion gathering, conflict resolution, and project consulting, and a Future City Support Center will be established in Hwamyeong 3-dong to provide consultation and assistance.

The city is also formulating a basic plan for the second-phase target areas, including Dadae, Mandeok, Mora, Gaegeum, and Dangam, aiming for official notification by the end of 2026.

Mayor Park Hyungjun emphasized, “The redevelopment of aging planned cities has entered the implementation stage,” and added, “Through the transformation into a future city, we will enhance urban competitiveness.”

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