Montreal (Canada), 20 May 2025 — World Design Organization (WDO)® is pleased to announce that two successful bids have been shortlisted in their pursuit to become the next World Design Capital® (WDC) in 2028. Marking the eleventh designation since the programme’s inception in 2008, a bid from Busan (South Korea) and a bid from Hangzhou (China) will move on to the next round of evaluation.
“Both these cities represent powerful examples of how design tradition and innovation are intersecting to drive everyday progress,” stated WDO President Thomas Garvey. “Grounded in culture, innovation and community, the bids from Busan and Hangzhou present inspiring visions that not only reflect the key principles of the World Design Capital designation but also contribute to global conversations about what resilient and inclusive urban development should look like moving forwards.”
Put forth by Design Council Busan, Busan’s bid highlights the city’s design capacity as a global hub for trade and technology. Under the theme Inclusive City, Engaged Design, the city’s ambitions for 2028 are rooted in design adaptation, civic resilience and international cooperation, with a focus on fostering dynamic and creative ecosystems that can empower designers, industry leaders and policymakers locally and internationally.
As the capital of China’s Zhejiang province, Hangzhou’s bid was developed by the Hangzhou Convention & Exhibition Industry Development Service Center (HCC) and speaks to the city’s rich cultural heritage guided by the theme of Fabric City: Open Silkware, Unbound Design.With a strong focus on ecological stewardship, digital design and public participation, the city is looking to leverage the WDC designation as a platform to weave new urban design solutions.
The shortlist was established by the WDC 2028 Selection Committee, composed of five international experts in design, public policy, sustainable development and urban planning. Following this announcement, further exchanges with the design communities supporting each bid will be sought to enable the Committee to announce the final selection in July 2025.
