Montreal (Canada) – The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) reported interest from a total of 46 cities in 27 countries around the world at the close of the World Design Capital™ (WDC) 2012 application process on 31 March 2009. A biennial international event created by Icsid to showcase cities in recognition of their focus on design as a driving force for economic, social and cultural development, WDC 2012 will be the third designation awarded to a city since the project's launch in 2006. Interest in the designation has more than doubled since the application period for WDC 2010, which generated interest from 20 cities in 2007.

The WDC designation offers cities an opportunity to be recognised for their commitment to integrate design into the city's strategic development and provides a platform to demonstrate the merits of design as a sustainable factor to improving quality of life for its citizens. "We have seen and heard of some great examples [...], where design has made outstanding contributions with regards to the reinvention of the city, [...]," commented Icsid President, Prof. Carlos Hinrichsen. "We have shared these examples internationally in an attempt to demonstrate the substantial impact of design as a key constituent for urban revival and are currently undertaking initiatives to further develop the WDC project with the aim of identifying the tangible effects of the designation for future potential WDC designated cities."

The WDC initiative is a substantial undertaking in support of Icsid's mandate to further collaboration with international design stakeholders to solidify design's role as a leading sector for consideration in city development initiatives. To accomplish this goal, Icsid works closely with the WDC designated city, Icsid Members, as well as with a network of other design-led cities to understand the changing urban environment, as well as to identify development strategies impacted by design and their ultimate affects on the quality of urban life.

"Through the course of the bid process, we examine revitalisation strategies that have been designed, planned, and/or developed previously within a city, as well as consider visionary proposals from cities with clear aspirations for future development," stated Prof. Hinrichsen.

Since its inception, the project is also being embraced by city governments attempting to gain a better understanding of the merits of design as means to overcome the global economic downturn.

The City of Torino was awarded the first WDC designation for 2008 as part of the pilot-phase of the project. Following Torino's success, the City of Seoul is currently developing its own official programme of events for WDC 2010. For the Korean capital, the designation will accentuate the government's existing design-led transformation strategies and highlight Seoul's long-term investment in design as a leading resource for change.

Over the course of the coming months, the WDC 2012 applications will be evaluated by an accomplished panel of five Jury members with a wealth of international experience and expertise in design, management, publishing, education, law, civil procedure and economics: Carlos Hinrichsen, Icsid President (Chile); Brigitte Borja de Mozota, Director of Research, Parsons Paris School of Art & Design (France); Guto Indio da Costa Designer (Brazil); Oh Se-Hoon, Mayor of the City of Seoul (South Korea); Deyan Sedjic, Director of the Design Museum (United Kingdom). The WDC Jury will convene in July to select the shortlisted cities that will move on to the next evaluation phase. The city to receive the WDC 2012 designation will be announced at the Icsid XXVI World Design Congress in Singapore in November 2009.

"In our efforts to highlight some of the outstanding design stories and best practices, the designation will ultimately be awarded to one city in 2012, but we are of the opinion that all cities committed to design are winners," stated Prof. Hinrichsen. "Icsid will work closely with the cities currently bidding for the designation and identify opportunities to involve them in WDC programming, allowing these cities to actively participate in the initiative that will continue to shape urban fabric."

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About World Design Capital™ (WDC)
While there are many awards that recognise individual accomplishments in design, the World Design Capital™ (WDC) designation is unique as it aims to focus on the broader essence of design’s impact on urban spaces, economies and citizens. The designation provides a distinctive opportunity for cities to feature their accomplishments in attracting and promoting innovative design, as well as highlight their successes in urban revitalisation strategies.
www.worlddesigncapital.com

About the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid)
The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design was created in 1957 by a group of international organisations committed to industrial design. Today, Icsid counts over 160 members in more than 50 countries, representing approximately 150,000 designers. Icsid members are professional associations, promotional societies, educational institutions, government bodies, corporations and institutions — which aim to contribute to the development of the profession of industrial design.

Icsid supports and highlights design as a valuable tool to serve key issues discussed in international forums. This requires collaboration with individuals, governments, NGO's, companies and organizations, in order to guarantee and strengthen the presence of design at all level. Icsid holds consultative status with UNESCO, UNIDO, ISO and WIPO.

For more information, please contact:
Ms. Dilki de Silva
Icsid Secretary General
t: +1-514-448-4949 ext. 227
e:

Ms Andrea Springer
Icsid Communications Manager
t: +1-514-448-4949 ext. 232
e: aspringer@icsid.org