Changdong Art Village was developed in an effort to rekindle commercial businesses in the declining downtown area. The empty town has been transformed into an urban, trendy art village, tied close to the city. The main concept of the art villiage is to meld with the city's strengths in art for urban renewal. The city, which was once the heart of culture and art in 1950s and 1960s, has gone through the process of so-called "urban regeneration through the arts".

The village has various attractions including three main alleys, namely Moonshin Art Alley, Masan Mountain Trail Art Alley, and Ecole de Chang-dong Alley, as well as 50 art facilities and 12 workshop locations proving hands-on programs.