[4] The city has also branded itself an "environmental capital" with the municipal government actively participating in climate change conferences and committing to the development of sustainable policies like the globally recognized bike-sharing program, Nubija.

[5] Populated since the early Bronze Age, the area surrounding Masan Bay would have been a wide open region between the ocean and the hilly lands of the coastal plain.

[citation needed] The name Changwon was first used in 1408 during the Joseon period, when King Taejong established the city as Changwon-bu.

[3] In 1895, the country was reorganized into 23 divisions by King Gojong, and Changwondae-do hobu was split into Changwon-gun and Ungcheon-gun.

Underground walkways are able to serve as bomb shelters and roads and buildings in the planned city are numbered for efficient use in evacuation.

The 47.1 metres (155 ft) monument is "dedicated to the 1,142 soldiers from Gyeongsangnam province that died in the Korean War.

[3] Changwon is located on the southeastern coast of the Korean Peninsula, on the Nakdong River delta[5] looking out onto Masan Bay.

Originally Masan's old town, when businesses began to disperse, "ateliers, cafés, and galleries took over the vacant stores[13]" transforming the area into a thriving art district.

This is the largest farmer's market within the city, with vendors selling fresh seafood, vegetables, and other groceries as well as clothing and pottery.

There is more nightlife here than restaurants, and local English speaking expats often frequent the area for drinks and laughs, often living very nearby.

The tenants are 97.8% (1,957) small-to-medium—sized businesses, while large corporations make up 2.2%(44)[16] including Samsung Techwin, GM Korea, LG Electronics, Hyundai Rotem, Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction, Doosan Infracore, Hyosung, Hyundai Wia and STX Corporation.

Changwon's Gross Regional Domestic Product is 21.7 trillion won which is higher than that of Gwangju and Daejeon.

Although a growing divide between Changwon's vibrant, modern west side and its older east side, has been identified as a source of socioeconomic and health inequality among its citizens, Changwon's municipal government has responded with renewed commitment to ensuring the social determinants of health for all citizens.

Changwon's Healthy City Initiative has undertaken several initiatives to promote better health including the implementation of a bike-sharing system, "the development of walking trails in apartment complex areas[14]" accessible to 85% of its citizens, building a new publicly funded health centre in the east side, and the installation of defibrillators in public areas like shopping centres and apartment complexes, giving Changwon "tremendous potential as an international model[14]" for cities wishing to encourage public health.

[32]" The website encourages reader participation in content creation and provides information on local business, attractions, culture, and infrastructure.

[34] The Nubija bike sharing system was introduced in 2008 in an attempt to alleviate traffic and parking issues, encourage public health, and move away from car-dependent models of urban planning.

As of 2010[update], KTX trains began running from Changwon to Seoul; travel time is approximately three hours.

[38] There are four Gyeongjeon line stations in the Changwon area:[37] Masan Ferry Terminal offers service to the city of Geoje to the southeast.

The white space between the wings forms the image of three people holding hands and spinning in unity, balance, and harmony.

The three colours of the pinwheel are: blue, symbolizing the ocean, growth, and hope; orange, which represents the city, passion, and creation; and green for nature, life, and balance.