Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) has been recognized as the first city in South Korea to join the global urban alliance known as the 'Biophilic Cities Network.' This recognition acknowledges Busan’s efforts and achievements in creating a sustainable green city where nature and humans coexist harmoniously, making it a pleasant city with parks and gardens for its citizens.

The concept of a biophilic city, which originated from the University of Virginia in 2011, refers to a sustainable future urban model where various life forms and humans coexist. Biophilia, meaning the love of life, is a concept that integrates the harmony of nature into urban planning. The Biophilic Cities Network is a global alliance that embraces this concept, with 31 cities from 13 countries currently active as members. With this certification, Busan becomes the 32nd city and the 14th country in the network.

To commemorate this certification, Busan held the 'Biophilic City Busan International Conference' at 2:30 PM on May 27 at City Hall's international conference hall. The event was attended by Mayor Park Heong-joon, Timothy Beatley, a professor at the University of Virginia and the founder of the Biophilic Cities Network, as well as domestic and international experts, academia, public institutions, and civic groups, totaling around 250 participants.

The event included a welcome speech by Mayor Park Heong-joon, a certification ceremony and keynote lecture by Professor Timothy Beatley, and a comprehensive discussion panel with experts from home and abroad. In his lecture, Professor Beatley emphasized the importance of biophilic cities in an era increasingly isolated from nature due to urbanization, sharing exemplary cases from partner cities.

The comprehensive discussion panel was chaired by Professor Kim Seung-hwan and included experts such as Yoshiki Toda from Japan, Professor Xiatian Tian from Shandong Jianzhu University in China, Professor Choi Yeol from Pusan National University, Professor Ahn Seung-hong from Hankyong National University, Lee Hae-in from HLD, An Chul-su, the Director of Green City at Busan, and Seo Jin-won, the Director of Nakdonggang Estuary Eco Center.

Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “Sustainable urban planning where nature and humans coexist is not optional but essential in today’s era. Through joining the 'Biophilic Cities Network' and hosting the international conference, we hope to share advanced cases with partner cities and mutually develop.” Based on this certification, Busan plans to actively promote urban projects such as the designation of Nakdonggang Estuary as a National Urban Park and the development of Macdo Green City, creating a green city for future generations.

The achievement of being the first city in Korea to be recognized as a member of the 'Biophilic Cities Network' is expected to significantly enhance Busan’s urban competitiveness on the international stage.