Copenhagen (Denmark) – INDEX: Design to Improve Life has announced a pioneering partnership model with three of the world’s leading cities in design. This innovative alliance will raise awareness of design as a significant way to create promising solutions to the world’s – and the partner cities’ – most pressing challenges.

INDEX:’s mission is to promote and to apply design and design processes that have the capacity to improve people’s lives worldwide. By entering the INDEX: Partner City Network, Helsinki, Singapore and Copenhagen become a vital part of this mission. Furthermore, the partner cities are now part of the movement that challenges the traditional concepts and stereotypes of design; highlighting the complexity of the design field, and demonstrating very different solutions to problems such as education, urban transportation and climate change.

By developing and expanding a network of Partner Cities spread across continents, INDEX: facilitates this by sharing its large-scale public events, education programs, network and communication infrastructure with cities around the world – and distribute the concept of Design to Improve Life around the world.

This creative union of cities aims to work closely together to promote, celebrate and apply Design to Improve Life – thus raising awareness of design as a significant way to create promising solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.”The combination of modern solutions with quality of life is essential. In Copenhagen, we are looking forward to getting high quality inspiration and sharing experiences with other cities through the INDEX: Partnership”, says the Lord Mayor of Copenhagen Mr. Frank Jensen. The CEO of INDEX: Ms. Kigge Hvid elaborates:”We are thrilled by the co-operation between Helsinki, Singapore, Copenhagen and INDEX: as we very much admires the design development in these cities. The collaboration will be of mutual benefit, and help secure the Design to Improve Life philosophy an even greater impact in the future of these great cities.”

From Singapore, the Chairman of DesignSingapore Council Board, Mr Robert Tomlin, says: “A notable reflection of how design can improve life is illustrated by Singapore’s experience in designing public housing. It goes beyond building blocks of flats, and is about designing an integrated system that builds connectivity, fosters community spirit, and provides amenities and financial support. We look forward to exchange knowledge and insights on these aspects with Helsinki and Copenhagen”.

The Lord Mayor of Helsinki, Mr. Jussi Pajunen, is also looking forward to reap the benefits of the new partnership, and says: “Through the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 project the whole Finnish metropolitan region is committed to design-led development as the source of wellbeing and competitiveness. All cities globally share the need for better solutions. The INDEX: Partner City Network is an excellent platform for learning and sharing from other cities and individuals.”

To read more about INDEX: and the partner city network, please click here.


About INDEX:

INDEX: is a Danish-based, non-profit organization that was established in 2002 and coined the concept “Design to Improve Life”. We work globally to promote and apply both design and design processes that have the capacity to improve the lives of people worldwide.
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