The Planning and Management Office works on a comprehensive level to lead Gwangju's growth into a well-balanced city by overseeing the establishment, coordination, and assessment of strategies and plans. The office organizes agencies to conduct such affairs and secure financial resources through local taxes. The office also undertakes tasks to improve the administrative system through innovation, digitalization, and efficiency of legal affairs and litigation.

In pursuit of the Gwangju Culture Hub Project, the bureau is in charge of establishing cultural infrastructure including a cultural complex, and galleries, promoting the culture industry as well as establishing plans to encourage cultural exchange. The bureau also initiates and supports such cultural events as the Gwangju Biennale, the Gwangju International Film Festival, and Imbangul Traditional Korean Music Contest, thereby preserving the cultural heritage handed down from our ancestors.

It oversees administrative affairs including issuing passports for citizens planning to go abroad, volunteer services, coordination/adjustment of administrative affairs, account management, human resource management, welfare services, and management of City Hall.

It strives to protect the socially under-served, the elderly, the handicapped, indigent children, and welfare facilities. The bureau works to create a city where all citizens can enjoy a high standard of living. Women are encouraged to participate in productive activities by provision of training/education on gender equality. The bureau also supervises health-related facilities such as hospitals and pharmacies to ensure the optimal health and hygiene of all citizens.

It is involved in developing tourist attractions and providing assistance to visitors to ensure a comfortable stay, as well as operating sports facilities for city residents. Memorial services for the May 18 democratic movement are also managed by the bureau.

It establishes plans for industrial growth, builds industrial complexes, provides assistance to companies seeking to export products, offers support for agricultural production, and promotes exchange with foreign cities.

The bureau oversees preservation of the environment so that citizens can live in pleasant surroundings. Its responsibilities include building and operation of pollutant processing facilities such as wastewater treatment plants. It is also involved in the task of regulating air quality and pollution from automobile or factory emissions, creating parks to provide resting spaces for local residents, and processing and recycling garbage.

Its job is to establish efficient urban planning policy related to transportation, housing, hygiene and administration, so as to maximize delivery of services to citizens, improve traffic signaling systems, build and manage express bus terminals and bus stops, offer guidance in the operation of buses and taxis. and make public announcements on the ownership of real estate to allow citizens to utilize real estate for their convenience.

The bureau is in charge of construction of roads, bridges and other public facilities as well as maintenance of rivers and lakes. Apartment complexes are sold to citizens and construction permits are issued to build housing units. Issuing construction permits, management of construction engineers, and measures to prevent construction accidents are also the responsibility of the bureau.

Its responsibility is to prevent fires and provide emergency assistance in case of fire to save lives and property, and to conduct inspections of hazardous facilities to protect the lives of citizens. The department currently manages five fire stations and fire prevention schools.