Busan National University BK Project Group Renovates Yeongdo Senior Community Space

Department of Architecture BK21 FOUR Project Group, 'Chamumul Village Shelter' Space Renovation and Opening

Space improvements including cleaning, painting, and installation of windproof doors... Transformed into a healing space for local residents

With the consideration of homeowners and the participation of local residents, the small ‘village resting place’ in Chamumul-gil, Sinseon-dong, Yeongdo-gu, Busan, which operates in a residential parking lot space, has transformed into a ‘senior community space’ with the interest and efforts of university professors and students.

The BK21 FOUR Project Group of the Department of Architecture at Pusan National University (Living SOC Innovative Design Education and Research Group Utilizing Vacant Spaces in Declining Cities, led by Professor Woo Sin-gu) held an opening ceremony for the newly renovated ‘Chamumul Village Resting Place’ on the 7th in Chamumul-gil, Sinseon-dong, Yeongdo-gu, Busan.

Pusan National University is holding the opening ceremony of the Chamumul Village Shelter. Photo by Pusan National University

Sinseon-dong, Yeongdo-gu, Busan, is a densely populated residential area on a hillside road, and especially the area around Chamumul-gil is difficult for seniors to move around due to steep slopes exceeding 30 degrees and steep stairs. The ‘Chamumul Village Resting Place’ located here is a community space voluntarily created by residents for seniors, with the homeowner opening the lower part of the house parking lot free of charge since 2019.

As inconveniences continued from using makeshift facilities such as tents in the parking lot space, professors and students from the BK21 FOUR Project Group of the Department of Architecture at Pusan National University came up with ideas and collaborated with nearby organizations and companies to consult with residents and rebirth the space into a pleasant and bright area.

For the renovation of the resting place, Pusan National University students built and installed platforms to allow seniors to comfortably engage in activities, conducted extensive cleaning, and repainted the interior. Although structural changes to the parking lot were difficult, efforts focused on transforming the dark and damp existing space into a cozy and pleasant one by installing windproof doors.

This project involved donations from BNK Busan Bank, cooperation from Yeongdo-gu Office, Yeongdo-gu Vacant Space Activation Regional Cooperation Center, Sinseon Village Urban Regeneration Field Support Center, Yeongdo-gu Comprehensive Social Welfare Center, in-kind donations from local businesses, and talent donations from local architects, reflecting the interest and sharing of various institutions and organizations.

The project group supports ‘private self-sustaining community spaces’ with poor facilities where public funds are difficult to invest, like the Chamumul Village Resting Place, encouraging residents’ voluntary and public community activities. They seek solutions to local social issues together with the community and strive to activate vacant spaces and create communal spaces for local residents.

Busan National University students are renovating the Chamumul Village Shelter and taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Busan National University