VALENCIA has been chosen as World Design Capital 2022, taking over from Lille, France and joining former capitals Helsinki, México DF, Taipei and Seoul.
It has beaten the Indian metropolis of Bangalore which, by the final judging round, was Valencia's only remaining rival.
Elected by the World Design Organisation (WDO), Spain's third-largest city won on the basis of its long history of innovative projects, starting way back in 1957 after the river Turia was diverted outside the main hub following the 'Great Flood' and the original water course was turned into a botanical garden.
Secretary of the WDO Bertrand Dérôme praises the 'precision, rigour and professionalism' of Valencia's candidature as well as the 'consistency, strength and maturity' of its design industry, which he witnessed during a two-day trip there along with a panel of judges.
Private initiatives for restoring historical heritage and turning it into useful public features – an example being the Carme Convent – were among the aspects which helped win Valencia the honour.
The fact the city is home to 'a high concentration of design, architecture and graphic illustration professionals' of 'several generations' who have proven themselves able to 'project themselves nationally and globally' and maintain an international presence, and the way in which Valencia's design industry has been employed in 'speeding up social transformation processes' and has shown a 'commitment to the community' were other factors that led to its being chosen as World Design Capital 2022.
To promote itself and take part in WDO activities two-and-a-half years from now will cost around €10 million, of which 40% will come out of public funds and the rest through private corporate sponsorship.
The photograph shows Valencia's iconic City of Arts and Sciences (Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias), one of its greatest design achievements.
