Valencia’s candidacy, articulated around the slogan “The Mediterranean design of Valencia. Design for change, design for the senses”, defends a way of looking that has geographical, but also aesthetic, ethical, philosophical and political implications. The transversal programme of the Valencia World Design Capital candidature for 2022 includes a complete schedule of events that will encompass all disciplines of design, from industrial design to the design of spaces, not to mention architecture and the design of services and interfaces. The aim is to coordinate the programme with the city’s cultural agenda in order to permeate it with design and bring it as close as possible to the general public.
Thus, from January to December, each month will be marked by a global theme based on four types of events: exhibitions, congresses, workshops and talks. The focus will be on content such as design in the face of climate change, Mediterranean design, the commitment of design to gender equality, the history of design, narratives based on design, industrial development, and design and nature, among others.
Cities that have been designated World Design Capital in previous years include Turin (Italy) in 2008, Seoul (South Korea) in 2010, Helsinki (Finland) in 2012, Cape Town (South Africa) in 2014, Taipei (Taiwan) in 2016, Mexico City in 2018 and Lille (France), which is currently getting ready for 2020.
The Valencia World Capital of Design 2022 candidature is a project of the Associació València Capital Mundial del Disseny supported by the Valencia City Council, the Presidency of the Autonomous Government of Valencia, the Valencia Tourist Board, the Valencia Trade Fair and the Valencia Marina.
Several companies have also collaborated, such as Actiu, Andreu World, Point, Zumex, Torrecid and La Imprenta, as well as such friendly institutions as the Association of Designers of the Community of Valencia (ADCV), the College of Interior Designers of the Community of Valencia, ComunitAD, READ, and the Territorial College of Architects of Valencia. In addition, the initiative has transcended the local level to become a national project supported by three ministries: the Ministry of Culture and Sport; the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism; and the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, in addition to many other institutions. The candidacy has also received the backing of the Spanish Royal Family.