Why Mexico City

Demonstrating a passion and enthusiasm for design, Mexico City is blending old and new in innovative health, communications and security programmes, a bike sharing programme, urban gardens, parks and playgrounds. Regeneration will take place in low-income areas around the city, where they aim to transform lives though design. The year will also include a rich agenda of activities that provoke thought and action not only among Mexico City’s creative community but the general public alike.

Bid Book & Signing Ceremony Video

testimonial

“Mexico City will serve as a model for other megacities around the world grappling with the challenges of urbanisation and using design thinking to ensure a safer, more liveable city.” - WDO President and Member of the WDC Selection Committee Professor Mugendi M’Rithaa

Selection Committee

The 2018 Selection Committee was comprised of Mugendi K. M’Rithaa, 2013-2015 WDO President-Elect, Professor at Cape Peninsula University of Technology; Meric Gertler, President Meric Gertler, PhD, FRSC, FAcSS, MCIP; Luyanda Mpahlwa, Director & Design Principal, DesignSpaceAfrica (Pty) Ltd; Abigail Posner, Head of Strategic Planning, Agency Development, Google; and Wen-Je Ko, Mayor of Taipei.

Announcement and Celebration

During the 29th General Assembly in Gwangju (South Korea), Mexico City was announced as World Design Capital 2018. WDO President, Brandon Gien, congratulated the Mexican delegation made up by Jorge Vázquez, Secretary of Tourism of Mexico City; and Marco Coello, Co-Founder of Design Week Mexico.