The Busan Metropolitan Government is launching a large-scale urban forest initiative to expand green spaces within 15-minute living zones across the city.
The city announced Monday that it will invest 13.9 billion won ($10.2 million) this year to create urban forests at 11 locations, including areas around the Haeundae Arboretum. The projects will be carried out under four categories: climate-response urban forests, urban wind corridor forests, child-safety green forests and municipal urban forests.
The centerpiece is the climate-response urban forest program. A total of 10 billion won will be spent to develop four sites spanning 10.4 hectares, including the abandoned railway site near Jwacheon Station, Haeundae Arboretum, Ilgwang Resort and the buffer green zone at the Geumsa Interchange. The program focuses on strengthening climate change response functions such as reducing fine dust, absorbing carbon and lowering urban temperatures.
Urban wind corridor forests designed to improve airflow in the city will also be expanded. A one-hectare forest will be created near the Haeundae Arboretum parking area to channel cool air from surrounding mountains into the city center.
Community-oriented green spaces will be expanded as well. Child-safety green forests will be established around Bongnae Elementary School in Jung-gu and Buheung Elementary School in Haeundae-gu to provide safer routes for students walking to school. Garden-style urban forests will be introduced at the Beomnae-gol and Suyeong intersections and along Gonghang-ro to enhance residents' quality of life.
The urban forest expansion policy is already delivering results. Through the "Green Carpet Connecting Living Zones" initiative — a signature pledge of the current eighth popularly elected administration — the city created 45 hectares of green space, surpassing the original target of 34 hectares and achieving 132% of the plan. The Korea Forest Service also recognized Busan Children's Grand Park and Taejongdae Resort Park as "exemplary urban forests," validating the policy's effectiveness.
Research supports the benefits of urban forests. According to the National Institute of Forest Science, urban forests can lower surrounding temperatures by up to 7 degrees Celsius, raise humidity to mitigate heat island effects and significantly reduce fine dust near industrial complexes.
"We will create an environment where citizens can enjoy forests anywhere in the city, improving their quality of life," Busan Mayor Park Heong-jun said. "We will continue working to build a safe and pleasant urban environment."