Hanau (Germany), 16 April 2024 – The kick-off for World Design Capital® Frankfurt RheinMain 2026 took place today at Congress Park Hanau for the Signing Ceremony, in the presence of representatives of World Design Organization® and the local project team, supporters, as well as representatives of previous World Design Capital cities. At the Signing Ceremony, stakeholders from the region called for the urgency of participatory and democratic processes, while international guests demonstrated how design can serve as a tool for sustainable change.
Among the 500 guests were Christoph Degen, State Secretary in the Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Art and Culture, and Claus Kaminsky, Lord Mayor of the City of Hanau, who called for civic engagement in the Rhine-Main region for peaceful, democratic coexistence. Following the ceremony, State Secretary Degen said, “Wow, what a kickoff. The enthusiasm of the team is contagious, and I’m delighted that the state of Hesse can already demonstrate how diverse and effective design is in improving our interactions in a democratic society and developing concrete solutions for our future viability. I’m very excited about 2026 and how we’ll collectively seize the opportunity as World Design Capital.”
Dr. Ina Hartwig, Head of the Department of Culture and Science at the City of Frankfurt am Main, and Karin Wolff, Managing Director of the Kulturfonds Frankfurt RheinMain, extended an invitation to actively participate in shaping living spaces with “Design for Democracy. Atmospheres for a better life” and to collaborate on a designable future.
In welcoming Frankfurt RheinMain to the World Design Capital network of cities, Dr. Thomas Garvey, WDO President said, “Every two years, World Design Capital gives us the opportunity to witness the power of design to connect and inspire communities in the pursuit of better urban futures. What you build here in Frankfurt RheinMain will be projected around the world so others can benefit from your ambition and leadership. We look forward to sharing what design for democracy means in practice and how we can each build atmospheres for a better life.”
In addition to the contract signing, many questions about the title were answered, the societal and economic significance of the World Design Capital was explained, and an outlook on the programme and participation opportunities was provided. “Submissions with new or revised ideas are now possible. The programme is expected to be finalized by the end of the year,” announced WDC Programme Director Anna Scheuermann. Planned projects and events include initiatives such as “Design in Schools” or the “Young Design Talents Campus,” which will take place in the summer of 2026 as a summer school for high school students and young national and international students.
Student representatives Laurenz Aller and Laurenz Spies are pleased that schools will also be involved: “I am excited that we have the opportunity to redesign schools and prepare for the future. There are many different areas we can address, such as sustainability, inclusion, or digitization,” said Laurenz Spies, board member of the Hanau City Student Council.
In the international speeches by representatives of previous World Design Capitals, Hanna Harris, now Chief Design Officer of the City of Helsinki, spoke, among others. Since the title in 2012, Harris has not only established design as a school subject but also advises the Finnish capital on design matters.
Anna Scheuermann concluded the Signing Ceremony with a clear call to the citizens of the Frankfurt RheinMain region to participate in the Open Call as of April 22 2024.
For more information on World Design Capital 2026, please visit wdc2026.org
About World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026
Under the theme Design for Democracy. Atmospheres for a better life, World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026 is supported by numerous cities and districts from the entire RheinMain area. The programme is expected to welcome up to 4.5 million visitors come 2026.
About World Design Capital
Designated every two years by the World Design Organization (WDO)®, World Design Capital® (WDC) recognizes cities for their effective use of design to drive economic, social, cultural, and environmental development. Through a year-long programme of events, the designated city showcases best practices in sustainable design-led urban policy and innovation that have reinvented their city and improved quality of life. Previous WDCs include Torino (Italy) in 2008, followed by Seoul (South Korea) in 2010, Helsinki (Finland) in 2012, Cape Town (South Africa) in 2014, Taipei (Taiwan, Chinese Taipei) in 2016, Mexico City (Mexico) in 2018, Lille Metropole (France) in 2020, Valencia (Spain) in 2022. The cities of San Diego (USA) and Tijuana (Mexico) jointly hold the designation for 2024, while the region of Frankfurt RheinMain (Germany) will assume the title in 2026. www.wdo.org/wdc
