Rediscovering Ulsan, the Industrial Heart: A Year Driven by Pride in 2025

Review of Achievements and Future Plans for the First and Second Phases of the Ulbushim Lifestyle Plus Project
Implementing Lifestyle-Focused Administration in Stability, Welfare, and Culture Closest to Citizens

The image of Ulsan, once known as the “factory city,” has completely changed.

The city of Ulsan is being recognized for implementing “lifestyle-focused” policies that directly impact citizens’ daily lives, making this year one in which Ulsan residents’ pride has been greatly enhanced.

On December 4 at 2 p.m., the city will hold a “Ulbushim Lifestyle Plus Project Progress Briefing” in the main conference room on the second floor of City Hall, where it will comprehensively review the results of the first phase of the project from last year and the second phase from this year.

The briefing will be attended by Kim Nokyung, Director of Planning and Coordination, as well as heads of 16 departments responsible for a total of 30 projects across the first and second phases, to share achievements and future plans.

The Ulbushim Lifestyle Plus Project is a key initiative for the latter half of the 8th popularly elected administration, aiming to increase citizens’ sense of engagement and satisfaction with municipal administration and to foster pride as Ulsan residents. The project is being promoted in three main areas: Lifestyle Stability Plus, Lifestyle Welfare Plus, and Lifestyle Culture Plus.

First, in the Lifestyle Stability Plus area, the city is focusing on establishing the necessary infrastructure and providing services for stable daily living, specifically by resolving citizen inconveniences, improving convenience, and preventing potential risks.

The Lifestyle Welfare Plus area targets the expansion of the social safety net and overcoming low birth rates, with main policy goals including meeting new welfare demands arising from rapid social changes and addressing welfare blind spots.

Lastly, the Lifestyle Culture Plus area aims to strengthen the region’s cultural capabilities and maintain work-life balance by improving conditions for leisure activities in culture, arts, and sports.

The first phase of the project has been underway since July last year, with a total of 15 projects-five in each of the three areas-and a total investment of approximately 70.6 billion won planned through 2027.

The second phase, which began in April this year, also consists of 15 projects-five in each area-with a planned investment of about 16.1 billion won through 2027.

The main achievements of the first and second phases are as follows.

▲Looking first at the achievements of the first phase

Overview of the First Phase of the Ulbusim Project.

In the Lifestyle Stability Plus area: ▲“OK Lifestyle Civil Service Field Service Day” provided over 74,000 services to approximately 65,000 citizens ▲“Family-Friendly Parking Zones” established and are operating 530 dedicated spaces at 28 public parking lots ▲“Smart Shelter-Type Bus Stops” newly installed at 20 locations ▲“Fine Dust Reduction Water Sprinkler Vehicles” deployed 11 vehicles to respond to heat waves and fine dust ▲“Ulsan Moa Reservation-Based Platform” system development has been completed and services will begin in January next year.

In the Lifestyle Welfare Plus area: ▲“Free City Bus Fares for Children and Seniors” supported daily bus rides for about 19,000 seniors and 5,000 children ▲“Ulsan Child Culture Pass Card” had 48,000 applicants as of the end of October, representing 81.1% of the 60,000 eligible ▲“(Grand)Parent-Grandchild Care Allowance” supported 23 recipients as of the end of October ▲“Ulsan Pay Cashback for Traditional Market Merchants” provided additional cashback to 2,972 affiliated merchants, revitalizing traditional market business ▲“Meet the Small and Medium Business Owners” events were held at seven locations, including Maegok General Industrial Complex, with participation from about 1,400 people.

In the Lifestyle Culture Plus area: ▲“Munsu Football Stadium Professional Soccer Shuttle Bus” supported approximately 5,700 spectators ▲“Electric Carriage (Velo Taxi)” will complete its pilot operation by the end of this year, with 15 vehicles to be fully deployed at Taehwagang National Garden and Ulsan Grand Park starting next year ▲“Nighttime Cultural Events Day” offered a variety of cultural performances for all ages ▲“Children’s Complex Educational Play Space” will complete its detailed design by year-end and begin construction next year ▲“Ulsan Grand Park Picnic Maru” will finish construction by March next year and is scheduled to open in April.

▲Major achievements of the second phase include

Overview of Ulbushim Phase 2 Project.

In the Lifestyle Stability Plus area: ▲“Ulsan Makes Your Startup Dream Come True” will begin supporting small business owners starting next year ▲“Zero Traffic Accidents in Child Protection Zones” added and improved traffic safety facilities at 35 locations near elementary schools ▲“U-Moms Sleep Rest Shelter” has supported 39 parents in relieving childcare stress since opening in July ▲“Recycling of Expired Fire Extinguishers” replaced over 3,900 extinguishers ▲“Women’s Safe Return Path LED Street Lighting” resulted in an 8.1 percentage point decrease in crime reports compared to the same period last year.

In the Lifestyle Welfare Plus area: ▲“Ulsan Self-Employed UP, Happy UP with Kids” will support self-employed people with children under two years old starting next year ▲“Ulsan Honorary Social Welfare Official Neighbor Care Group” recruited over 1,000 new members, with about 5,500 active, and established the nation’s first activity support center in July ▲“Smart Senior Center Happy Eumteo” will provide digital-based senior welfare services at 101 selected centers ▲“Surisuri Toy and Baby Clothes Sharing Store” recorded 7,900 uses for repairs and sharing ▲“99-88 Senior Youth Travel” will provide annual trips for 500 seniors starting next year.

In the Lifestyle Culture Plus area: ▲“Ulsan Outdoor Library Picnic” attracted about 28,000 users, with 91% expressing intent to revisit in a satisfaction survey ▲“Ulsan Night Story Market” was held at Taehwagang National Garden from July to September, drawing 146,000 visitors, and will be held at the main gate of Ulsan Grand Park in December with a Christmas theme ▲“Parent Community Center” aims to begin construction in the second half of next year ▲“Youth Activity Experience Support Project” formed eight teams with 42 young participants ▲“Ulsan Youth N-Day Program” saw participation from 183 local youths.

Kim Nokyung, Director of Planning and Coordination, stated, “We will continue to discover and expand administrative services that citizens can feel and be satisfied with in their daily lives, and enhance the completeness of our policies so that everyone can feel proud to live in Ulsan.”