Human-Pet Coexistence... Busan City Accelerates Development of 'Cheolma Companion Culture Park'

Approval of Cheolma Neighborhood Park Development Restriction Zone Plan Change, Mayor Park Hyung-jun's Campaign Project Fully Launched

A Companion Culture Park Where People, Nature, and Animals Can Coexist... Expected to Create a Pet-Friendly City

The nationwide largest-scale 'Companion Culture Park Development Project' has gained momentum.

Busan City announced that the Cheolma Neighborhood Park agenda passed the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's 'Greenbelt (GB) Management Plan Preliminary Review Team' evaluation.

More than half of Busan's administrative area falls under greenbelt zones, and only 8.7% is available for development, making park development within dual-regulated areas (GB, water source protection zones) unavoidable due to regional conditions.

To overcome these obstacles, the city has continuously shared tasks and consulted with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport regarding issues and strategic projects in the greenbelt (GB) areas. As a result, on the 5th, at the Ministry's '14th Preliminary Review Team for the 2024 Greenbelt (GB) Management Plan,' the 'Consultation on Facilities Not Reflected in the Greenbelt Management Plan' was approved. This achievement has finally put Mayor Park's 8th-term election pledge project, the 'Companion Culture Park Development Project,' on the right track.

The total area of the 'Companion Culture Park' to be developed this time is 241,000㎡ in the Guchil-ri area of Cheolma-myeon, Gijang-gun, making it the largest nationwide. The city plans to invest a total project cost of 35.5 billion KRW (entirely city funds) to create various facilities related to companion animals.

▲ Donggam Trail ▲ Global Theme Garden ▲ Donggam Playground ▲ Pet Education Center ▲ Companion Botanical Garden ▲ Local Market Street, and other convenience, training, and cultural facilities related to companion culture will be established.

With the approval of the greenbelt (GB) management plan amendment, the city will systematically proceed with related administrative procedures such as ▲ urban management plan (park) designation and ▲ park development plan establishment, and plans to start construction in the first half of 2026 once compensation is completed.

Once the park is developed, it will contribute to income generation for local residents who were marginalized due to dual regulations through local product markets and program linkages.

Mayor Park Hyung-jun said, “As the population raising companion animals increases and the importance of animal welfare grows, this Companion Culture Park development will create a mature companion animal-friendly city where both companion animal owners and non-owners can be happy. We will do our best to continuously communicate with local residents to create a companion culture park where people, nature, and animals can coexist.”

‘Cheolma Companion Culture Park’ On-site Photos and Bird's-eye View. Provided by Busan City