Busan City to Intensify 2026 Abandoned House Management Policy: Expansion of Support for Shared Accommodation Creation and Demolition Costs


The Necessity of Vacant House Maintenance for Urban Vitality Recovery

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The city of Busan is set to actively implement the 'Enhanced Vacant House Maintenance Policy' starting in 2026. This is the first step to address the rapidly increasing problem of urban vacant houses.

Various issues such as the increase of dilapidated houses, population decline, and the weakening of local communities are accumulating across Busan, making the maintenance of vacant houses a significant task that can no longer be postponed. Through this policy, we hope Busan can create a better living environment.

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This policy is expected to be a significant turning point that will lead changes in the urban environment as it moves away from the past simple demolition approach to a comprehensive strategy that includes management, maintenance, and utilization.





Expansion of Local Customized Utilization Projects

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Busan City plans to invest 2 billion won by 2026 to actively expand projects transforming vacant houses into vibrant spaces for the community.

This initiative includes creating local customized spaces, shared accommodation facilities for both locals and foreigners, and the Vacant House Plus Dream project, all of which will involve remodeling tailored to the actual needs of residents as well as tourism and cultural foundations.



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This year, the local customized space creation projects are ongoing at five locations, including dormitories for foreign students in Yeongdo-gu, the Lee Jung-seop couple theme park in Dong-gu, and public restrooms in Saha-gu. Next year, the projects will expand to include workation accommodations and cultural theme spaces.

Furthermore, the shared accommodation project for both locals and foreigners aims to convert vacant houses near the beach into tourist accommodations to revitalize the local economy.

The Vacant House Plus Dream project is designed to transform vacant homes into creative spaces for artists and cultural complex facilities, utilizing funds from the local extinction response fund.

Such utilization projects are gaining attention as strategies that enhance the attractiveness of the city beyond mere maintenance.





Rapid Demolition and Support for Dangerous Vacant Houses

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Busan City plans to allocate 7.2 billion won in demolition support funds in 2026 to expedite maintenance efforts. This is a significant increase compared to 1.2 billion won in 2024 and 3.8 billion won in 2025. This support will be an important step for regional development.

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The focus of the policy is the 'principle of rapid demolition of dangerous vacant houses.'

For unlicensed vacant houses located on national and shared land, an institutional framework will be established to facilitate immediate demolition by simplifying administrative procedures. The newly enacted 'Special Act on the Maintenance of Vacant Buildings' will impose safety management and demolition obligations on owners, as well as strengthen the burden for negligence.

These measures are expected to prevent safety accidents, fires, and aesthetic degradation caused by long-neglected vacant houses at an early stage.





Establishment of AI-Based Vacant House Prediction Model and Transaction Platform



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Busan City is establishing an advanced information system to address the vacant house issue.

Using AI technology through a risk index prediction model, it combines and analyzes data on population movement, relocation, mortality, etc., to diagnose the likelihood of vacant house occurrences in advance and prepare response measures.

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A vacant house transaction support platform will be set up to disclose property information and actively assist purchases and sales in collaboration with local licensed real estate agents.

Additionally, a one-stop consultation center comprising tax accountants and architects will be operated, and a public-private consultation body will be formed, along with the creation of promotional content to further promote voluntary participation from citizens and owners.







Response to Special Laws and Promotion of Vacant House Stock Projects

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Busan City has decided to shorten the vacant house investigation cycle from the existing five years to one year in accordance with the 'Special Act on the Maintenance of Vacant Buildings' scheduled for enactment in 2026. This investigation will include local professional institutions such as urban corporations and research institutes for more systematic management.

Along with the 'Vacant Building Hub' system being promoted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, Busan is proactively preparing for a vacant house stock project utilizing a public investment corporation (SPC). The SPC will be responsible for purchasing vacant houses and construction sites that are halted within urban regeneration areas for resale to the private sector or to lead to public development.

Additionally, Busan plans to propose several institutional improvements to the central government, including tax support for vacant house transactions in areas with population decline, establishing a foundation for owner information disclosure, and expanding the role of SPC. These efforts are expected to play an important role in solving the vacant house problem and promoting regional development.





Conclusion: A Turning Point for Recovering Urban Vitality in Busan



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The vacant house maintenance enhancement policy of Busan City, set to be implemented in 2026, is a comprehensive measure that not only goes beyond simple demolition but also restores urban functionality, revitalizes the local economy, and strengthens cultural foundations.

In particular, the creation of shared accommodation, the regeneration of cultural spaces, the introduction of AI-based management systems, and the stock project utilizing SPC are expected to act as a significant turning point in reviving Busan's urban vitality through innovative approaches. These policies are predicted to positively impact both local residents and tourists.

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Busan City will make policy efforts to solve the problem of abandoned vacant houses and energize the region. We look forward to seeing how the vacant house maintenance policy will impact the improvement of living conditions and urban competitiveness in the region.

Busan Metropolitan City Hall: 1001 Jungang-daero, Yeonje-gu, Busan





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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. What are the main objectives of the vacant house maintenance enhancement policy being implemented by Busan City starting in 2026?
The vacant house maintenance enhancement policy aims to recover urban vitality and improve living conditions in Busan City.

Busan City will implement the vacant house maintenance enhancement policy starting in 2026 to address the rapidly increasing problem of urban vacant houses. This policy is a comprehensive measure that encompasses not only simple demolition but also restoration of urban functionality, revitalization of the local economy, and strengthening of cultural foundations. In particular, it aims to revive Busan's urban vitality and positively impact both local residents and tourists through initiatives such as shared accommodation creation, cultural space regeneration, and the introduction of an AI-based management system.

Q. What are the specific details of the vacant house utilization projects being promoted by Busan City?
Busan City is expanding various vacant house utilization projects, including shared accommodations, cultural space creation, and customized spaces for locals and foreigners.

Busan City is currently undertaking projects to remodel vacant houses into local customized spaces, shared accommodations, creative spaces for artists, and cultural complex facilities. This year, projects are being carried out at five locations, including dormitories for foreign students, a theme park, and public restrooms, with plans to expand into workation accommodations and cultural theme spaces next year. The Vacant House Plus Dream project aims to regenerate vacant houses into arts and culture-centered complex facilities using local extinction response funds, focusing on revitalizing the local tourism and cultural foundation.

Q. How does Busan City's rapid demolition plan and legal response work for dangerous vacant houses?
Busan City will quickly demolish dangerous vacant houses and strengthen safety management obligations through new special laws.

Busan City has established an institutional framework to facilitate immediate demolition by simplifying administrative procedures for unlicensed vacant houses located on national and shared land. The 'Special Act on the Maintenance of Vacant Buildings', scheduled to be enacted in 2026, will clarify the safety management and demolition obligations of owners and strengthen the burdens associated with negligence. These measures aim to ensure resident safety and enhance urban aesthetics by preventing safety accidents, fires, and visual impairment caused by neglected vacant houses at an early stage.

Q. What is the role of the AI-based vacant house prediction model and transaction platform being introduced by Busan City?
The AI model predicts vacant house occurrences, while the transaction platform facilitates vacant house sales.

Busan City is building an AI-based risk index prediction model that analyzes population movement, relocation, and mortality data to diagnose the likelihood of vacant house occurrences in advance. This model allows for early response and efficient management. Furthermore, a vacant house transaction support platform will be established to disclose property information and promote active purchases and sales in collaboration with local licensed real estate agents. By operating a consultation center with tax accountants and architects, forming public-private consultation bodies, and creating promotional content, citizen and owner participation will also be encouraged.

Q. What are the main contents and expected effects of Busan City's vacant house stock projects?
The vacant house stock project fosters urban regeneration through the participation of professional institutions in purchasing vacant houses and public developments.

Busan City will shorten the vacant house investigation period and implement systematic management of vacant houses in collaboration with local professional institutions, including urban corporations and research institutes. Through vacant house stock projects utilizing a public investment corporation (SPC), Busan plans to purchase vacant houses and construction sites that are halted within urban regeneration areas for resale or public development. In addition, the city will propose tax support for vacant house transactions in areas with population decline, the establishment of owner information disclosure, and the expansion of SPC roles to the central government. These initiatives aim to contribute to the resolution of vacant house problems and enhance regional development and urban competitiveness.


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