Turning University Resources into Local Jobs... Busan-Style Campus Town in the Works

Review Seoul and Daegu Cases and Discuss Ways to Apply Them in Busan

"Seek Public-Private-Academic Cooperation Connecting Universities, Commercial Districts and Industries"

The Busan Metropolitan Council is moving forward with a plan for a “Busan-style Campus Town” that connects university talent, technology and spaces with local jobs and startups. It aims to find ways to transform university districts from places focused solely on education into hubs where young people can settle and the local economy can thrive.

The Busan Metropolitan Council, chaired by Kang Mugil, announced on October 22 that it will hold the “Busan Metropolitan Council Ieum Policy Forum” on October 26 in the council’s main conference room. The forum will focus on “Ways to Develop a Busan-Style Campus Town for Shared Growth with the Local Community.”

At the first forum since the launch of the 10th council, participants will examine examples from Seoul and Daegu and discuss practical approaches suited to Busan’s industries, universities and local conditions.

Lee Myunghoon, a professor specializing in industry-academia collaboration at Korea University’s Institute for Convergence and Industry-Academia Cooperation, and Lee Sanghyun, an urban designer at Daegu Metropolitan City’s Bureau of Architecture and Housing, will each present case studies on Korea University’s Campus Town and Daegu’s downtown campus project. Woo Singu, a professor at Pusan National University and chief architect of Busan Metropolitan City, will present on “Building a Busan-Style University City” and propose ways for universities and the city to grow together.

Yang Jaehyeok, a professor at Dong-eui University, will moderate the panel discussion. Participants will include Bae Gwangu, a member of the Busan Metropolitan Council’s Planning and Finance Committee; Jeong Juchul, a professor at Pusan National University; Lee Gangwon, chair of the Pusan National University Commercial District Association; and Nam Hosu, a professor at Dongseo University. They will discuss links between universities and local industries, revitalizing commercial districts around universities, helping young people put down roots, and cooperation among the public, private and academic sectors.

The Busan Metropolitan Council plans to incorporate proposals from the forum into follow-up research, the enactment and amendment of ordinances, budget reviews and other council activities. It will also monitor whether the proposals lead to concrete city policies.

Council Chair Kang Mugil said, “We will bring together the voices of diverse stakeholders, including universities, local communities and government, to find solutions to local issues and turn them into practical policies.”

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