Busan, South Korea – Busan has taken a step forward in its urban development by appointing a new Chief Architect to oversee the city’s architectural and urban design strategies. The appointment ceremony took place on November 25, 2024, at 10:00 AM in the Protocol Room of Busan City Hall.
The appointee, Woo Shin-koo, a distinguished professor of architecture from Pusan National University (PNU), brings a wealth of experience in urban planning and design. Over the next two years, the Chief Architect will lead initiatives to develop long-term strategies for the city’s architecture and urban aesthetics. The role also involves coordinating policies to create citizen-centered, high-quality public spaces.
The newly appointed Chief Architect emphasized the importance of creative and identity-driven urban design. “World-class cities are defined by architectural and design elements that represent their unique identities,” the appointee stated, pledging to integrate Busan’s maritime identity into a globally recognized design vision.
The architect’s extensive background includes serving on national and city-level committees, such as the Urban Regeneration Special Committee under the Prime Minister and the Busan Metropolitan City Cultural Heritage Committee. The appointee has also held leadership roles in urban regeneration projects and continues to influence the field as a professor and international advisor.
Busan’s Mayor underscored the importance of the appointment, especially during a transformative period for the city. Highlighting key developments like the construction of the Gadeokdo Airport, the Mayor expressed optimism that the Chief Architect’s expertise would bring creative innovation to urban design policies.
“This is a pivotal moment for Busan as it evolves into a global hub city,” the Mayor stated. “We aim to create a ‘Unique Design City’ that resonates with citizens and garners international recognition.”
Busan’s vision includes initiatives to enhance the city’s functionality and aesthetic appeal. Recent projects, such as urban design guidelines and public space improvements around Busan Station, align with the overarching goal of making Busan a model city for modern urban design.
The newly appointed Chief Architect’s leadership is expected to elevate these efforts, with a focus on public spaces, sustainability, and design quality.
The appointee’s qualifications include degrees in architectural engineering from Seoul National University and decades of experience across academia, government, and international advisory roles. This comprehensive expertise equips the architect to guide Busan’s transition into a world-class design city.
With this appointment, Busan reaffirms its commitment to thoughtful, innovative urban development. The collaboration between city leadership and the Chief Architect promises to shape Busan into a city where design meets functionality, creating spaces that resonate with both citizens and visitors worldwide.
