Busan has been officially selected as the 2028 World Design Capital (WDC), an international title awarded by the World Design Organization (WDO) to cities that demonstrate excellence in using design for economic, cultural, and social development.
The city triumphed over final competitor Hangzhou, China, following a six-month evaluation process.
Busan’s proposal, under the theme “Inclusive City, Engaged Design,” was recognized for its strong citizen participation, urban design policies, and implementation capacity.
The WDO’s field evaluation team visited sites such as Yeongdo’s Bongsan Village, Dongseo University, and the F1963 cultural complex, praising Busan’s design-centered education system and integrated approach to urban development.
This makes Busan the second Korean city after Seoul (2010) and the 11th globally to receive the designation, joining a list that includes Helsinki (2012) and Valencia (2022).
The official announcement of Busan’s designation will be made at the 34th World Design Congress in London this September.
Busan plans to collaborate with the Busan Design Promotion Agency to build an organizational system and prepare official programs for WDC 2028.
