Cape Town: World Design Capital

"The World Design Capital title is awarded bi-annually by the International Council for Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID) to give global prominence to cities that use design for their social, economic and cultural development. Founded in 1957 and active in 50 countries, ICSID has awarded the World Design Capital designation three times – to Torino, Italy (2008); Seoul, South Korea (2010) and Helsinki, Finland (designated for 2012)."

"The World Design Capital title is awarded in advance, allowing winning cities sufficient time to plan, develop and promote a year-long programme of World Design Capital-themed events for their designated year.

Cape Town’s bid to be World Design Capital 2014 forms part of a broader vision to position Cape Town as a leading global city – a hub of creativity, knowledge, innovation and excellence (for further information have a look at the Creative Cape Town Annual 2010) – and to build on the City’s World Cup success.

The City of Cape Town has mandated the Cape Town Partnership, under the auspices of the Creative Cape Town programme, to coordinate Cape Town’s bid on its behalf, both in terms of producing the official bid book, and to ensure widespread support for the bid. Already, a vital network of partners from local and provincial government, creative industry organisations and institutions, academia and the media, as well as local design leaders and citizens from all walks of life, have pledged their support, as demonstrated at Design Indaba 2011.

Why Cape Town for World Design Capital 2014?

Cape Town’s World Design Capital 2014 bid concept, “Live Design, Transform Life”, focuses strongly on socially responsive design.."