"Design-Busan 2026" to be held from November 5 to 15 across Dongnae-gu, Dong-gu, Busanjin-gu, Haeundae-gu, Suyeong-gu, and Gangseo-gu… 15 universities from 11 countries and 133 companies participate under the theme of 'Sea, People, Environment'

The Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Jeon Jae-soo) announced that "Design-Busan 2026," which utilizes the entire city as a design stage, will take place for 11 days starting November 5.

Under the theme of 'Sea, People, Environment,' the event will be held across six districts: Dongnae-gu, Dong-gu, Busanjin-gu, Haeundae-gu, Suyeong-gu, and Gangseo-gu. A total of 15 universities from 11 countries and 133 companies are participating, with 331 official participants, including citizens, university students, and designers.

The opening ceremony will be held at the Dongnae Plant of Taikoo Rubber (located in Suan-dong, Dongnae-gu), where the 'Design Theme Pavilion' will operate utilizing industrial heritage and discarded materials. The former rubber-producing factory is transformed into an exhibition space where art and design meet.

Under the theme 'From Waste to Wonder,' artworks utilizing steel bars, scrap rubber, discarded fishing nets, and Styrofoam left behind in the factory will be exhibited.

Artist Byun Dae-yong’s large polar bear sculpture over 4 meters (m) in height, 'My Bear,' will also be showcased. Visitors can reflect on environmental issues through artworks utilizing discarded materials and old spaces.

Programs where university students, citizens, and travelers can directly experience design have also been prepared.

At the 'Global Collaboration Workshop' held at F1963 in Suyeong-gu, university students from 9 countries will conceptualize designs necessary for daily life, such as mobility services for the elderly and sustainable beach furniture. General citizens can also directly make and exhibit mobiles shaped like Busan seagulls at F1963.

At the Domestic Arrivals Art Hall of Gimhae International Airport in Gangseo-gu, winning works of DBEW 2026* will be exhibited. Travelers can view the artworks and experience becoming part of the exhibits by sitting on chairs made from recycled discarded dolls.

DBEW 2026: An international design award under the theme 'Design Beyond East and West.'
The 'Design Fair,' held from November 9 to 11 at the Busan Port International Exhibition & Convention Center (BPEX) in Dong-gu, will showcase domestic and international designs as well as products and technologies from Busan companies.

Local companies such as Lumena, Oxford, and Arkerd are participating to exhibit products from various fields containing their respective stories, including marine leisure goods, daily necessities, and industrial design.

On the 10th, business consultations between domestic and foreign buyers and companies will be held in the business lounge. Participating companies will seek out trade, business cooperation, and investment attraction opportunities through these consultations.

The 'Design Summit' and 'Design Hackathon,' which discuss the future of cities through design and find solutions to Busan's urban problems, will also be held.

At the 'Design Summit' on the 9th, 5 experts from 3 countries will discuss the role of design in cities, culture, industry, and policy.

At the 'Design Hackathon' on the 11th, 110 participants across 10 teams will conceptualize design ideas to solve Busan's urban problems based on their respective experiences and perspectives.

The 'Design Convenience Store,' where citizens can encounter local design products in their daily spaces, will also be operated.

Products from 24 local companies will be showcased at F1963, Haeundae Platform, and KT&G Sangsangmadang. A variety of items will be introduced, ranging from daily necessities familiar to citizens to unique design goods and local brand products.

Starting from the selection of the 2028 World Design Capital (WDC) Busan, the city plans to utilize its industrial heritage, culture, and daily spaces as design assets, while expanding exchanges between domestic and international designers and companies.

Mayor Jeon Jae-soo stated, "Busan’s sea, factories, streets, and daily lives each hold their own stories and potential," adding, "We hope this event will serve as an opportunity to rediscover those values, allow any citizen to enjoy design, and jointly shape the city's future."

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]