The Busan Metropolitan City and Design Council Busan are launching the “Public Space Design Project 2,” a two-stage international design competition with a substantial prize pool of KRW 150,000,000.
The competition, themed “A Pause by the River”, invites design teams to propose innovative Place Making and Public Goods designs for a designated area within Busan.
The competition operates in two distinct phases. Initially, two teams will be selected based on the merit of their initial applications, submitted between 2nd June 2025 and 30th June 2025. Following this selection, the two chosen teams will then develop and submit detailed design proposals by 18th August 2025, for a final judging.
The scope of the competition centers around a roughly 2km stretch of coastline, tentatively located within the Busan Design Special District (Haeundae-gu and Suyeong-gu area), encompassing locations from the Busan Museum of Art, through Dongseo University, the Suyeonggang Human Bridge construction site, and concluding near Suyeong Hyundai Apartments.
Eligibility is open to both domestic and international companies or institutions possessing demonstrable expertise and a track record in public design.
Applicants must either have secured a public design award within the last three years or have successfully completed at least three public design projects. Design Council Busan will require supporting documentation, such as project completion certificates, to verify these credentials.
Successful teams will receive KRW 40,000,000 each for advancing to the final stage, while the winning team will be awarded a grand prize of KRW 70,000,000.
However, the competition isn’t solely about the financial reward. Busan aims to foster a vibrant and engaging public realm, and the winning design will play a crucial role in shaping the future of this key coastal area. The council is particularly interested in proposals that prioritize accessibility, sustainability, and the creation of spaces that encourage social interaction and a sense of community.
For more information and to submit, please visit the official competition website.
