In the aftermath of the Korean War, Busan became a refuge for thousands of displaced families seeking safety from conflict. With its flatlands overwhelmed by the sudden population surge, these refugees had no choice but to settle in the steep mountainous regions that surround the city. Over time, the once-temporary shelters evolved into permanent homes, creating what is now known as the Sanbokdoro (Hillside Road) communities. Though these areas offered refuge during a time of crisis, they were never intended to serve as long-term residences, and the result has been decades of poor infrastructure, difficult access, and declining living conditions.
As Busan’s economy modernized and urban centers expanded, many of these hillside neighborhoods were left behind, now characterized by aging populations and rows of vacant homes. However, the narrative of decline could be rewritten by tapping into an innovative vision: transforming Busan’s vacant homes into sustainable, terrace-style communities through a collaborative effort with global architects and returning overseas Koreans. This approach not only offers a solution to the city’s housing crisis but also creates an opportunity for revitalizing these forgotten neighborhoods, turning them into modern, eco-friendly, and vibrant communities.
Global Architects: Redesigning for Sustainability
One of the most compelling aspects of revitalizing Busan’s hillside neighborhoods lies in the opportunity to collaborate with world-class architects. By inviting renowned international architects, Busan can not only solve its vacant housing problem but also create a globally recognized model for sustainable urban living.
These architects bring with them innovative solutions that merge modern design with environmental sustainability, especially in challenging landscapes like Busan’s hilly terrain. Many global projects have shown that with the right design approach, even the most difficult geographic locations can be transformed into thriving communities. This is where terrace-style housing comes into play.
- Terrace-Style Homes: Leveraging the natural slope of the hillside, architects could design terraced houses that maximize both space and natural resources, such as sunlight and wind patterns. These homes would feature green roofs, solar panels, and rainwater harvesting systems, making them eco-friendly and energy-efficient. Terraced homes, with their layered structure, also provide a visual break in the landscape, integrating the housing with the surrounding nature instead of disrupting it.
- Eco-Friendly Urban Planning: Drawing inspiration from successful urban renewal projects like those in Valparaíso, Chile, or Lisbon, Portugal, where difficult hilly landscapes were transformed into sought-after residential and cultural hubs, Busan could benefit from similar approaches. In Valparaíso, for example, the terraced design not only preserved the city’s unique aesthetic but also attracted artists, tourists, and new residents.
To further amplify this concept, Busan could host an international architecture competition, inviting designers from around the world to submit proposals for turning its hillside vacant homes into sustainable communities. This competition would not only generate a wealth of innovative ideas but also raise global awareness of Busan’s potential as a leader in sustainable urban development.
Moreover, the involvement of global architects would turn these hillside neighborhoods into a canvas for eco-friendly living, attracting both local and international interest. The unique designs could transform Busan into a model city for sustainable urban renewal, attracting new residents while creating a tourist destination for those interested in innovative architecture and green living.
This collaborative approach would also serve as a showcase project for how other cities with similar geographical challenges can turn vacant homes into opportunities for growth. Busan’s transformation could inspire other cities facing urban decline to look at their landscapes not as obstacles, but as blank slates for architectural innovation.
Attracting Overseas Koreans and Immigrants
While attracting overseas Koreans back to Busan’s hillside neighborhoods is a central component of revitalizing the area, this initiative can be further expanded by welcoming immigrants from abroad who are interested in moving to Korea. In recent years, Korea has seen a growing number of international residents, many of whom are drawn to the country’s rich culture, economic opportunities, and quality of life. Including this group in the redevelopment plan can create a more diverse and vibrant community in Busan’s hillside neighborhoods.
A Global Vision for Busan’s Future
The vision of transforming Busan’s vacant hillside homes can extend beyond overseas Koreans to include international immigrants who are looking for a more sustainable and community-oriented way of life. By providing modern, terrace-style housing and a close-knit neighborhood atmosphere, these developments can offer an attractive alternative to both Koreans abroad and foreigners alike.
Many immigrants seek not just job opportunities, but also quality of life and a strong sense of community. The concept of sustainable, eco-friendly living in an urban yet natural environment is likely to resonate with people from around the world. The appeal of private gardens, shared green spaces, and community-driven initiatives would cater to individuals who prioritize a more balanced and holistic lifestyle.
Integrating both overseas Koreans and international immigrants would lead to a culturally rich community where people from diverse backgrounds can share experiences, ideas, and traditions. This could foster a neighborhood that thrives on cultural exchange, making Busan’s hillside regions a unique destination for both Koreans returning home and immigrants settling in.
Incentives for Both Overseas Koreans and Immigrants
The success of this project would be boosted by offering targeted incentives to attract both Koreans returning from abroad and immigrants looking to relocate to Korea.
Offering tax exemptions or reduced property taxes for those who purchase and renovate vacant homes in Busan’s hillside neighborhoods would attract both overseas Koreans and immigrants. Additionally, the government could offer settlement assistance programs for immigrants to navigate the process of moving to Korea, such as help with visas, legal support, and language training.
For immigrants, particularly those coming from countries with strong environmental awareness, the appeal of eco-friendly housing cannot be overstated. Providing homes with solar energy, rainwater harvesting, and energy-efficient construction would appeal to those interested in a greener lifestyle. These features could serve as a differentiator, drawing environmentally conscious global citizens to settle in Busan.
International Outreach and Collaboration
Busan could also launch a global marketing campaign aimed at not only overseas Koreans but also at potential immigrants from regions with high interest in relocating to Korea, such as Southeast Asia, North America, and Europe.
Collaborating with Korean cultural centers and embassies in other countries can help spread awareness of this project. Hosting international housing expos that focus on Korea’s emerging real estate opportunities and sustainable living could attract immigrants who are seeking a home in Korea. By offering virtual tours, seminars, and cultural events, Busan can position itself as an attractive destination for global citizens.
To encourage immigrants to settle in Busan, it will be essential to provide cultural orientation programs and Korean language classes within the community. Establishing these services would help smooth the integration process, ensuring that both returning Koreans and international immigrants feel welcomed and supported in their new homes.
Economic and Social Benefits of a Diverse Community
Welcoming both overseas Koreans and immigrants would not only address the vacant housing crisis but also bring significant economic and social benefits to Busan.
An influx of new residents—both Korean and international—would drive economic activity in these neighborhoods. The development of local businesses, cafes, and community spaces could provide job opportunities, while the rising demand for local services would create further economic growth.
By creating a community that integrates both returning Koreans and immigrants, Busan could become a model of inclusivity in Korea. This community could serve as an example of how diverse populations can come together to create a thriving, supportive, and forward-thinking neighborhood.
Cooperative Ownership: A Model for Sustainable and Inclusive Development
At the heart of this ambitious plan to revitalize Busan’s hillside neighborhoods lies the formation of a cooperative ownership model. This model encourages shared ownership and decision-making among overseas Koreans, immigrants, architects, and local residents, ensuring that development not only meets the needs of new inhabitants but also aligns with the vision of a sustainable, long-term community.
A cooperative structure allows for collective ownership and management of the newly developed properties, ensuring that the community is self-sustaining and capable of addressing its own needs.
Each member of the cooperative—whether an overseas Korean, an immigrant, or a local architect—would have a stake in the development. This shared responsibility ensures that decisions about how the neighborhood grows and evolves are made collectively, fostering a sense of ownership and pride among all participants.
By distributing the management of the neighborhood across cooperative members, ongoing maintenance and sustainable development initiatives can be better handled. For example, shared maintenance funds could be established to manage common areas, such as gardens or community centers, and to ensure that environmental sustainability practices, such as energy-efficient infrastructure, are upheld.
The cooperative model also opens the door for the creation of shared spaces that enrich the community, encourage interaction, and promote local development.
The cooperative could fund and manage community spaces like libraries, cafés, or multi-purpose centers where residents can hold cultural events, workshops, or even small markets to sell local goods. These spaces would foster a sense of belonging and strengthen the community’s social fabric.
Residents could pool their resources to establish cooperatively owned businesses that serve both the local population and visitors. For example, a cooperative café or organic farm could not only provide jobs but also attract sustainable tourism, turning the area into a unique destination for both locals and tourists.
To inspire and guide Busan’s cooperative model, several successful examples of cooperative housing and community-led urban regeneration projects from around the world can be studied.
In Switzerland, the Kalkbreite Cooperative transformed a former industrial site into a thriving, mixed-use development featuring residential units, offices, and public spaces. The project is managed by the cooperative, ensuring that all decisions, from design to daily management, are made by the community. This cooperative has become a model for sustainable urban living and can serve as an inspiration for Busan.
In Spain, the La Borda Cooperative constructed an eco-friendly, energy-efficient residential building that is entirely managed by its residents. The building emphasizes shared spaces like community kitchens and gardens, reinforcing the importance of collaboration and mutual support. This type of collective living could be replicated in Busan, creating a self-sustaining and socially connected community.
The cooperative model is also a path to economic and social sustainability, ensuring that the community continues to thrive long after the initial development phase.
By having a collective financial stake in the project, members of the cooperative would be motivated to ensure the economic success of their community. Cooperative businesses and community fundswould not only generate income but also create local employment opportunities, preventing the economic stagnation that often plagues redeveloped areas.
The cooperative model promotes inclusivity by involving diverse stakeholders in decision-making. This ensures that the community is built to serve the needs of both returning overseas Koreans and immigrants, fostering an environment of cultural exchange and collaboration. Moreover, the cooperative could play a crucial role in ensuring that affordable housing is available to a wide range of residents, preventing gentrification and keeping the community accessible to all.
Economic and Environmental Impact
The proposed revitalization of Busan’s hillside neighborhoods through a cooperative model and sustainable architectural design is not only a social endeavor but also an economic and environmental one. By turning vacant homes into terrace-style, eco-friendly residences, this initiative could provide significant long-term economic and environmental benefitsfor the city, its residents, and the region at large.
Transforming Busan’s hillside neighborhoods from underutilized areas into thriving, sustainable communities offers a number of economic benefits. This initiative can act as a catalyst for economic revitalization, not just for the local residents but also for the wider region.
As these neighborhoods are redeveloped into attractive, eco-friendly spaces, property values are likely to rise significantly. The proximity to nature, coupled with modern, sustainable designs, makes these homes highly desirable. This would lead to an increase in the market value of both the newly developed homes and the surrounding properties.
The architectural uniqueness and green spaces of the new developments would likely attract both local and international visitors. Much like how Lisbon’s hillside neighborhoods have become popular tourist destinations, the revitalized Busan hillsides could become a hub for eco-tourism and architectural tourism. This, in turn, would create opportunities for local businesses, such as cafes, restaurants, and art galleries, which could cater to both residents and tourists.
The development project itself would create jobs in construction, architecture, and urban planning. Additionally, the establishment of cooperative-owned businesses, such as local markets or community cafés, would provide employment for residents, ensuring that the community is both economically viable and self-sustaining(HMC Architects).
Environmental sustainability is a core pillar of this redevelopment plan. By focusing on eco-friendly construction methods and green infrastructure, the new communities would not only improve the living standards of their residents but also contribute to a healthier, more sustainable environment.
The use of solar panels, geothermal energy systems, and rainwater harvesting would significantly reduce the environmental footprint of the new developments. By prioritizing energy-efficient designs and sustainable materials, these homes would consume less energy and resources, contributing to long-term environmental sustainability(PEAK Urban).
The integration of green roofs and communal green spaces would help reduce the urban heat island effect, which is common in densely built urban areas. By incorporating nature into the architecture, the development can mitigate temperature rises and improve air quality, benefiting both the residents and the broader urban ecosystem(HMC Architects).
The terraced structure of the homes, designed to work with the natural slope of the land, would minimize the environmental impact of construction. This method allows for better water drainage and erosion control, ensuring that the development preserves the integrity of the natural landscape(World Bank Blogs).
This project’s long-term sustainability will be ensured through cooperative ownership and community management, which allow residents to collectively manage resources and services. This approach guarantees that the benefits of redevelopment are shared by all residents and that economic prosperity is distributed equitably.
The creation of eco-tourist attractions, such as organic community gardens or cultural festivals that showcase the neighborhood’s unique blend of Korean heritage and modern architecture, would provide ongoing revenue streams for the community. These initiatives would draw visitors to the area, ensuring that the local economy remains vibrant and resilient.
By focusing on local production, such as community gardens and locally owned businesses, the cooperative can ensure a degree of self-sufficiency for the neighborhood. This minimizes dependence on external economic forces and builds a more resilient local economy that can weather external shocks.
Improving Mobility: A Tram System for Busan’s Hillsides
While the architectural transformation of Busan’s hillside neighborhoods is crucial, another equally important aspect is improving accessibility for both residents and tourists. The steep terrain of Busan’s hillsides poses challenges for mobility, making daily commutes difficult, especially for the elderly or those without cars. To address this, the installation of a tram system—a proven method in several cities around the world—could be a game-changer.
The introduction of a tram system would provide an efficient and environmentally friendly means of transportation to connect the hillside areas with the rest of the city. Trams or funiculars, which operate on sloped terrains, can make steep neighborhoods more accessible, improving the quality of life for residents while also drawing tourists to explore the elevated scenic areas.
Cities like Valparaíso, Chile, and Hong Kong have successfully implemented funiculars and trams to enhance mobility in steep neighborhoods:
- In Valparaíso, a series of funiculars has long connected its steep hills with the lower parts of the city, offering both residents and tourists a unique, efficient way to traverse the rugged terrain(World Bank).
- Hong Kong’s Peak Tram, one of the world’s oldest hillside tramways, is a prime example of how such systems can become not only essential for residents but also iconic tourist attractions, offering sweeping views of the city and harbor(World Bank Blogs).
A tram system in Busan would similarly provide multiple benefits. For residents, it would shorten commuting times, reduce traffic congestion, and make daily errands more manageable. For tourists, it would offer a scenic route to explore Busan’s elevated neighborhoods, potentially boosting local businesses such as cafes, art galleries, and shops that cater to both locals and visitors.
Moreover, with a focus on sustainability, electric trams would align with Busan’s broader efforts to develop eco-friendly infrastructure. The system could be powered by renewable energy, reducing the environmental impact and contributing to the city’s overall green initiatives.
By improving mobility in these hard-to-reach areas, the tram system would not only make the terrace-style homes more accessible but also increase the attractiveness of these neighborhoods for new residents and investors. Improved transportation would likely lead to rising property values and encourage further investment in both housing and local amenities.
The tram solution, in conjunction with sustainable housing, would create a comprehensive revitalization strategy for Busan’s hillside neighborhoods, making them desirable, livable, and accessible for a broad demographic of residents and tourists alike.
A Path Forward for Busan’s Hillside Transformation
As Busan faces the challenge of revitalizing its hillside neighborhoods, the solution lies in embracing a multifaceted approach that leverages global architectural talent, engages returning overseas Koreans and immigrants, and adopts cooperative, sustainable development models. Drawing inspiration from successful case studies around the world, Busan has the opportunity to not only address its vacant housing crisis but also reimagine these areas as thriving, eco-friendly communities that promote economic growth, cultural diversity, and environmental stewardship.
By collaborating with world-class architects and inviting innovative designs tailored to Busan’s unique geographical and environmental conditions, the city can set a global precedent for sustainable urban development. This approach will transform the hillsides into modern, energy-efficient residential spaces while preserving the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the area.
To further enhance accessibility and integrate these new developments into the fabric of the city, the implementation of a tram system could significantly improve mobility in Busan’s steep hillside neighborhoods. Inspired by cities like Valparaíso and Hong Kong, a tram system would not only reduce commuting time for residents but also make these areas more attractive to tourists and potential new residents. This would open up new economic opportunities for local businesses and increase property values, transforming the hillsides into a scenic and accessible destination.
Engaging overseas Koreans and immigrants in this project offers a promising solution for addressing Busan’s population decline and vacant home problem. By offering tailored incentives and fostering a welcoming, community-driven environment, Busan can attract a diverse group of residents eager to participate in building a forward-thinking, vibrant community. Improved transportation infrastructure, such as the tram system, will further support this by making daily life more convenient for residents while drawing in new investments and encouraging reverse migration.
The cooperative ownership model ensures that residents have a stake in the development and success of their neighborhoods, creating a self-sustaining economy that benefits everyone involved. Through shared decision-making, sustainable business practices, and collective management, the cooperative will lay the foundation for long-term growth and stability, fostering a sense of ownership and community cohesion.
Busan stands at a crossroads, and by embracing this innovative and globally inspired approach—including sustainable architecture, improved mobility via trams, and a focus on community-driven development—the city has the opportunity to turn its hillside neighborhoods from overlooked areas into beacons of sustainable living. These transformed spaces will serve as a model for cities facing similar challenges. Through this comprehensive strategy, Busan’s hillsides will once again flourish—this time, as a testament to international cooperation, sustainable urban development, improved accessibility, and community empowerment.
