Busan Launches Initiatives for a Child-Friendly Western Region

Busan - The City of Busan has announced a series of initiatives aimed at improving the living conditions for children in its western districts, marking a step toward establishing a more child-friendly environment. The announcement came during the 14th Western Busan On-site Meeting, held at the Gangseo-gu district's Child Care Support Center on February 15, 2024.

The meeting's agenda included a review of ongoing and planned policies across sectors such as healthcare, childcare, education, safety, and infrastructure, with a focus on creating a nurturing environment for children. Prior to the meeting, officials visited the Dalbit Children's Hospital in Myeongji-dong, operational since February 1, as part of efforts to bridge gaps in pediatric healthcare.

Mayor Park Heong-joon emphasized the city's commitment to integrating policies that prioritize children's needs. "Our goal is to ensure that Western Busan becomes a region where families can thrive, supported by comprehensive policies that span healthcare, education, and more," said Mayor Park.

The initiatives discussed are part of Busan's broader strategy to position itself as a global hub city that offers equal opportunities for all residents. This comes in the wake of a public forum on livelihood, where broader policy directions for the city were outlined, including significant infrastructural projects and improvements in family living conditions.

Key initiatives include the expansion of pediatric emergency services and efforts to attract pediatric specialists to the region. The city plans to extend the operational hours of Dalbit Children's Hospitals and offer financial incentives to encourage the participation of more hospitals in the initiative.

In the realm of childcare, the city is pioneering the 'Busan-type Neulbom School Project,' a comprehensive care system that aims to provide seamless support from birth through education. This includes extending childcare and kindergarten hours, establishing 24-hour care centers, and integrating after-school programs into a cohesive system.

The meeting also addressed the development of educational infrastructure to reduce regional disparities, the improvement of safe pedestrian environments for children, and the expansion of cultural and sports facilities to enrich children's living environments.

Mayor Park highlighted the importance of collaboration with local stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of these policies. "Creating a child-friendly environment in Western Busan is not just about policy development but about making tangible changes that positively impact families," he stated.