Busan Slope Housing

During the Korean War, Busan became a city of refuge. With the population surging, the hillsides were the only land left to settle. Refugees built makeshift homes from salvaged materials, forming improvised villages that evolved into vibrant, tightly knit neighborhoods – uniquely adapted to the slope. Born of crisis, they became a signature of Busan’s landscape and spirit. Today, those same neighborhoods sit on prime ground, but steep lanes and aging structures no longer meet contemporary needs. The default market response – the tower estate – delivers comfort and efficiency but flattens terrain and suppresses the very street life that once defined these hillsides. Is there an alternative?