Gwangan Bridge Captivates the World... Busan's 'Tourism Resource Project' Wins 2nd Place at International Lighting Awards

The lights of Gwangan Bridge in Busan have achieved recognition on a global stage for lighting awards.

On March 11, the Busan Metropolitan Government announced that the "Gwangan Bridge Tourism Resource Project" was awarded second place in the main category at the 3rd Cities & Lighting Awards 2026, which was held in Oulu, Finland, on February 26, local time.

This award ceremony, organized by the LUCI (Lighting Urban Community International), has been held biennially since 2022 to encourage outstanding projects that utilize lighting for sustainable urban development.

This award recognized that the lighting of Gwangan Bridge goes beyond simple landscape features, establishing an intelligent, data-driven lighting system that integrates urban environment and culture.

The City of Busan implemented a system that expresses natural changes through light by linking real-time meteorological data, such as ultra-fine dust concentration and precipitation, via the Korea Meteorological Administration API. In addition, the city expanded Gwangan Bridge into an urban space enjoyed by both citizens and tourists by providing customized lighting displays tailored to city events such as seasonal changes, Christmas, New Year, and regional festivals. The adoption of a centrally managed system also enhanced operational stability.

The panel of judges from LUCI commented, "The project transformed an iconic bridge into a nighttime attraction enjoyed by citizens and visitors, and improved the quality of the city's nightscape through innovative lighting effects. This achievement has changed the urban nightscape and created a beloved place for local people."

The data-driven, customized lighting and the integration of cultural events have also generated tourism benefits. Lighting displays that reflect real-time climate data, along with special productions linked to seasons and festivals, have enhanced the uniqueness of the nighttime landscape and increased demand for visits. Furthermore, by connecting the bridge with drone shows and marine cultural events, the project expanded beyond simple sightseeing to offer immersive nighttime content.

Busan Mayor Park Hyungjoon stated, "This international award is proof that Busan's urban nighttime landscape is recognized worldwide. We will continue to enhance the quality of our nightscape and transform Busan into a design city that citizens can truly experience."

Kota Collective LUCI Cities & Lighting Summit Oulu 2026.

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