Montreal (Canada), 10 September 2024 — World Design Organization (WDO)® announced today the launch of the World Design Capital® (WDC) 2028 bid process, marking the 11th biennial designation since the programme’s inception. Interested cities from around the globe are invited to mobilize local design stakeholders during the five-month application period in an attempt to create and submit a robust bid showcasing the design merits of their region.

The WDC is a cornerstone programme in WDO’s long-standing mandate to demonstrate design’s ability to contribute to the development of more inclusive, resilient and liveable cities. The bid process alone has enabled applicant cities to not only showcase existing design assets, but also foster closer ties within local design communities and better understand what is needed for future urban and economic development.

Previously designated cities from across 10 countries and 4 continents have utilized the WDC platform to attract investment and tourism, promote their status as leaders in design-driven innovation and increase public awareness of the role of design in improving everyday life. Insights from World Design Capital Valencia’s recently published Impact Study outline the impressive array of fiscal and social benefits that the city experienced as a result of its 2022 designation. Notably:

For every €1 invested in the WDC programme, public administrations collected €1.8
Increase of over 200,000 domestic and international visitors to the city
Civic interest in design grew from 6.73 to 7.13 (on a scale of 10)

Source: Econcult — University of Valencia — Faculty of Economics

“For cities seeking to showcase or further their commitment to design-led innovation, World Design Capital is both a recognized and coveted designation,” stated WDO President Dr. Thomas Garvey. “It is a key part of the progress we continue to chart as a global community committed to designing our way to a better future, and we look forward to embarking on the next chapter of this transformative process.”

Bids for the designation undergo an extensive evaluation process and are reviewed by a selection committee that comprises six international experts from the fields of design, public policy, sustainable development and urban planning. These experts are tasked with evaluating the bids, shortlisting the cities and ultimately selecting which applicant will be awarded the biennial title.

The WDC 2028 Selection Committee includes (in alphabetical order):

  • Thomas Garvey, 2023-2025 WDO President
  • Jonathon Glus, Director, Department of Cultural Affairs, City of San Diego
  • Josephine Yilan Liu, Co-Founder, Urban Future Global Conference
  • Charles Montgomery, Author and Urbanist; Co-Founder of Happy Cities
  • Alice Rawsthorn, Design critic and author; Co-Founder of Design Emergency

For more details about the bidding process, to download the application guide or to learn more about becoming a WDC, visit https://wdo.org/programmes/wdc/becoming-a-wdc/.

The deadline for applications is Friday, 28 February 2025. 

For further information, please contact:

Eric Lauwers
WDO Programmes Manager
eric@wdo.org

About World Design Organization

World Design Organization (WDO)® is an international non-governmental organization and the international voice for industrial design. We advocate for Design for a Better World, promoting and sharing knowledge of industrial design-driven innovation that enhances the economic, social, cultural, and environmental quality of life. Today, WDO services over 200 member organizations, representing thousands of industrial designers around the world.
wdo.org

 

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.
wdo.org/wdc