World Design Protopolis (WDP)™ supports the creation of solutions-based design projects to address key development issues globally. The programme empowers a selected city or community with the design knowledge and resources required to initiate targeted and transformational projects that improve civic quality of life.
Derived from the idea of prototyping a metropolis, the term Protopolis was first introduced as part of the City of Bengaluru’s 2019 bid for World Design Capital®. With the goal of making design methodologies more accessible across a variety of social and economic contexts, the programme supports cities with both established and developing design acumen to implement projects that:
Use design as a driver for positive change within a community, neighbourhood or borough
Align with one or many of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs)
Engage methods and resources to measure the increase of civic well-being
World Design Protopolis projects can vary in both duration and scope depending on the challenges to be explored, but in each case, the Protopolis platform connects a city with local, national and international partners to facilitate the transfer of design knowledge that has the power to improve the long-term well-being of a city and its citizens.
The pilot World Design Protopolis project will take place in Bengaluru (India) from 2023 to 2028.
For more information about World Design Protopolis, please contact:
Eric Lauwers
WDO Programmes Manager
