A long-vacant space at Pusan National University Station on Busan Metro Line 1 has been transformed into the nation's first community-partnership mart in an urban railway. Beyond a simple commercial facility, the space has been developed into a life-centered facility featuring a public rest area and a self-sufficiency café, and is expected to contribute to boosting the local economy and creating jobs.
Busan Transportation Corporation said Wednesday that it has opened "Senam Mart Pusan National University Station Branch" in a 752-square-meter vacant space within the station and has begun full operations.
The corporation selected Senam Enterprise, a specialized mart operator, as the business operator through a public competitive bidding process in April. After completing improvements to aging facilities and interior renovations, the company redeveloped the station space into a living convenience facility for local residents and users.
The distinctive feature of this project is the combination of a commercial facility with public functions. Alongside the mart, a 66-square-meter public café-style rest area connected to the station waiting room was established so that any citizen can use it freely. The rest area is operated by the Geumjeong-gu Regional Self-Sufficiency Center, which added social value by hiring residents participating in self-sufficiency programs as café staff.
Effects of coexistence with the local economy are also anticipated. The mart will create jobs by giving priority to hiring local residents, and will also serve as a distribution hub where restaurants near Pusan National University can purchase food ingredients as needed.
"It is meaningful that we have revived a station space that had long gone unused into a space needed by citizens and the local community," said Lee Byung-jin, president of the corporation. "We will continue to expand living convenience facilities that reflect the characteristics of each station and local demand, and discover various business models that grow together with the community."
