Can Busan Become a Model City for Walkability?

BUSAN, South Korea - Busan’s landscape is often celebrated for its stunning coastline, mountainous terrain, and vibrant cityscape. Yet, when it comes to pedestrian accessibility, the city presents a paradox. While it hosts scenic walking trails and promotes events like the upcoming ‘Oryukdo Tonight’—a 56-kilometer overnight walking challenge—the reality of everyday mobility for residents remains a stark contrast. This event, set to take place on March 29, has drawn significant interest from citizens eager to test their endurance against Busan’s varied topography. However, beyond the spectacle of the event, the broader question remains: Is Busan truly a walkable city?

At first glance, the ‘Oryukdo Tonight’ event embodies Busan’s commitment to fostering a walking culture. Participants will embark on a journey that begins at Dadaepo Beach, winding through Daejeo Ecological Park, the mountainous Geumjeong Fortress trail, and finally ending at Haeundae Beach. The event promises a unique experience—offering breathtaking views of the city at sunset, a nighttime trek under starlit skies, and the reward of reaching the finish line as the morning sun rises over the East Sea.

Walking events like these are often promoted for their physical and mental health benefits. Studies consistently show that walking reduces stress, enhances cardiovascular health, and improves overall well-being. Yet, outside of these organized challenges, does Busan provide an environment where residents can comfortably walk in their daily lives?

Despite the city’s ambitious ‘15-minute city’ concept—designed to ensure that essential services are accessible within a short walking or biking distance—the reality on the ground tells a different story. Narrow sidewalks, inconsistent pedestrian pathways, and an urban layout that prioritizes cars over foot traffic make daily walking an obstacle rather than an enjoyable experience.

Busan’s natural geography presents both an asset and a challenge. The city’s hills and valleys create stunning views but also pose significant difficulties for pedestrians, particularly the elderly and those with mobility impairments. Sidewalks in many neighborhoods are narrow, uneven, or obstructed by parked cars, street vendors, and poorly planned infrastructure.

In commercial districts, pedestrian congestion is a common issue. Unlike cities such as Seoul, Tokyo, or Copenhagen, where pedestrian-friendly policies have been systematically implemented, Busan’s efforts remain sporadic. While scenic trails like Galmaetgil offer excellent walking experiences, the daily urban commute often involves navigating dangerous intersections, insufficient crosswalks, and car-centric road designs.

Even in well-known tourist areas like Haeundae, pedestrian pathways are often secondary to roadways, forcing walkers to weave through traffic or take inconvenient detours. Despite official rhetoric about improving pedestrian conditions, walkability remains an afterthought in urban planning rather than a core design principle.

Urban planners worldwide recognize that walkable cities aren’t just about convenience—they drive economic growth, improve public health, and enhance social cohesion. 

Studies have shown that retail businesses in pedestrian-friendly areas see higher foot traffic, leading to increased local spending. Walkability also correlates with lower obesity rates, reduced air pollution, and greater overall community engagement.

Cities that have successfully transformed into walkable urban hubs, such as Barcelona, Melbourne, and Amsterdam, have done so by prioritizing wider sidewalks, improved public spaces, pedestrian-only zones, and safer street crossings. If Busan truly wants to establish itself as a global cultural and tourism hub, enhancing its pedestrian infrastructure should be seen as an investment, not an afterthought.

The ‘Oryukdo Tonight’ challenge is expected to attract over 1,200 participants, each embarking on a personal journey of endurance and self-discovery. The event showcases the beauty of Busan’s diverse landscapes—its beaches, mountains, and urban rivers—and brings together individuals who share a passion for exploration and movement.

Yet, once the event concludes and the banners come down, what remains? Will Busan take meaningful steps to ensure that walking is not just an event-based activity, but an integral part of urban life? Without structural changes—such as expanded pedestrian zones, safer crossings, and improved sidewalk accessibility—the city’s push for a ‘walking culture’ risks being reduced to a symbolic gesture rather than a practical reality.

If Busan truly aspires to be a world-class, pedestrian-friendly city, it must go beyond promoting one-time walking events and commit to long-term investments in urban mobility. 

Busan has all the ingredients to become one of Asia’s great walkable cities—stunning landscapes, an active population, and a growing interest in sustainable urban living. However, to move beyond slogans and events, the city must address real infrastructure issues that hinder daily pedestrian mobility.