DESIGN HACKATHON
Organized by the Design Innovation Team of the Busan Metropolitan Government, the program is led by Professor Jinyoung Lee (STELLAR Arts Institute, Dongseo University), who oversees its planning and facilitation.
A total of 110 participants form 10 teams, bringing together expert facilitator leaders, visual writers, Busan city officials, citizens, and participants from Korea and abroad. Through systems thinking, they explore Busan’s future and exchange ideas on how the city can evolve beyond a place to visit into a place to stay.
| Event | Design Hackathon |
|---|---|
| Date & Time | 11.11 (WED), 2026 | 10:00 – 18:30 |
| Program | Orientation > Pre-event site visit > Hackathon competition > Final presentations |
| Venue | Event Hall A, Busan Port International Exhibition & Convention Center (BPEX) |
| Participants |
110 in total, in teams (11 per team: 1 team leader + 1 Busan city officials + 9 team members)
|
| Lead Facilitator | Professor Lee Jin-young, Dongseo University |
| After participants are selected, through Nov 10 (Tue) Pre-Hackathon: on-site visit, problem discovery, and idea generation | |
Participant Benefits
Exclusive Kit and Certificate of Participation for the First Cohort
Official Archiving of First-Cohort Activities
Hands-On Project Experience Exploring and Shaping the Future of Busan
Collaboration and Networking with Fellow Participants and Industry Experts
Awards
Grand Prize
Busan Metropolitan City Mayor’s Award
First Prize
Busan Design Promotion Agency President’s Award
Excellence Award
Busan Design Promotion Agency President’s Award
Design Hackathon FAQ
Who is eligible to participate?
Anyone who is passionate about Busan is welcome to apply, regardless of age or background. Students, designers, local residents, and professionals from related fields are all encouraged to participate.
How will teams be formed?
Applicants will be evaluated individually, and selected participants will be notified once the selection process is complete. Teams will then be formed based on participants’ areas of expertise, experience, and interests.
What is the event schedule?
Pre-hackathon activities, including team-based site visits and ideation sessions, will begin once participants have been selected and teams have been formed.
The main event will take place on November 11, 2026 (Wednesday), from 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM at BEXCO (Busan Exhibition and Convention Center). Teams will develop and present their final prototypes, followed by an awards ceremony on the same day.
Where can I direct my inquiries?
For inquiries, please contact designbusan2026@gmail.com