Art Blossoms in Busan's First Industrial Complex... West Busan Smart Valley Selected as Cultural Leading Industrial Complex

890 Billion Won Over Four Years

Transforming Into an Industry-Culture Convergence Platform

In the place where the sound of machines once echoed, beautiful music now flows. From abandoned industrial remnants, art is blossoming. The West Busan Smart Valley is being transformed into a next-generation industrial complex where industry, culture, and art coexist.

The Busan Metropolitan Government announced on July 7 that West Busan Smart Valley had been selected as the final winner in the "2026 Cultural Leading Industrial Complex Contest," jointly organized by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

The Cultural Leading Industrial Complex Project is an initiative aimed at transforming industrial complexes from production-centric spaces into multi-purpose spaces where culture and people come together. Busan was selected after proposing seven themed projects centered on the West Busan Smart Valley.

West Busan Smart Valley, formerly known as the Sinpyeong·Jangnim Industrial Complex, is the city's first industrial complex and the hub of manufacturing in western Busan. With this selection, a total of 88.96 billion won in funding, including both national and local government budgets, will be invested over the next four years.

The project will be carried out under seven themes connecting youth, culture, and industrial innovation. These include a youth design living lab and brand development, the creation of a multi-purpose cultural landmark, the establishment of specialized streets, improvement of old factory environments, the operation of cultural programs, regional content projects, and redevelopment of aging industrial complexes.

The multi-purpose cultural landmark will feature an AI healthcare center, a digital "Forest of Mind," XR·AR-based sports zones, and spaces for education and hobbies. These facilities are planned to be accessible for workers of various ages and nationalities.

Efforts to improve the environment of aging industrial complexes will also be promoted. Specialized streets will be created, and shared facilities within factories will be renovated to establish a youth-friendly work environment.

Cultural programs will also be expanded. In the Bunechia area, events such as K-pop concerts, drone shows, Nakhwa-nori (fireworks play), and gourmet festivals will become regular "Culture Day" events. Additionally, sunset yoga, a global harmony festival, and mobile healthcare services will be implemented.

Spaces for digital content will also be established, including AI media creation education, e-sports communities, and interactive games. The city will also upgrade road networks, parking lots, and small parks to enhance both the work environment and convenience.

Jeon Jae-soo, Mayor of Busan, said, "Industrial complexes should no longer remain merely spaces for production, but must become places where work, culture, and life coexist," adding, "We will turn West Busan Smart Valley into an innovative space where youth, businesses, and culture grow together."

Status of Cultural Leading Industrial Complex Projects.

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