Ulsan selects winners of citizen policy idea contest

Ulsan has announced the winners of its "Ulbusim Life Plus Project Citizen Idea Contest," a competition designed to uncover everyday policy ideas proposed directly by residents.

The contest, held from February through March, drew 355 submissions. After departmental reviews, a policy advisory committee screening and public verification, 20 finalist entries were chosen. A public vote on the city's website then ran from June 12 to June 22, drawing 4,719 participants. Final winners were determined by weighting the document review and public vote results equally at 50 percent each, yielding 12 winning entries.

The top prize went to "Park Anywhere, No Problem — Three Policies to Solve Parking Across Ulsan."

The proposal earned high marks for its plan to improve parking convenience for residents and visitors while also stimulating the local economy and tourism. It calls for expanding the sharing of idle private parking spaces, building an intelligent parking service linked to the Ulsan Pay platform, and introducing an integrated parking pass for tourists.

Three entries took the excellence award: a Global Eco-Kids experiential school program at Taehwagang National Garden, a project to create safer conditions along hiking trails, and a lifestyle and cultural participation program at Taehwagang National Garden.

Seven entries received encouragement awards: a citizen pride card (U-PRIDE CARD); introduction of yellow shade canopies near schools and hagwon; a health management support system for engaged couples linked to wedding venues; eco-friendly umbrella water-removal devices on city buses; a lifestyle mobility navigation system tailored to Ulsan; a certification and development program for traditional long-standing local businesses; and a shared dining and whole-family care program under the Ulbusim O2O initiative.

Prize money of 2 million won ($1,300) goes to the top winner, 1 million won to excellence award recipients and 500,000 won to encouragement award recipients, along with a citation from the Ulsan mayor.