Cape Town has won the right to host the World Design Capital 2014, beating hopefuls Bilbao in Spain and Dublin in Ireland.
The announcement was made on Wednesday morning at the International Design Alliance (IDA) Congress in Taipei.
The World Design Capital website issued a press release saying that Cape Town Executive Mayor Patricia de Lille accepted the award on behalf of Cape Town, South Africa and the African continent.
She said 2014 will be the celebration of 20 years of democracy in the country.
“2014, then, is the moment when the past and the future will come together for Cape Town, in contemplation and in action,” said De Lille.
“It is a reflection of how the city has socially and physically reinvented itself.”
The website said the World Design Capital 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.”
The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) president and member of the selection committee Dr Mark Breitenberg said: “It is encouraging to see how Cape Town plans to use design as a tool to solve urban challenges. I am confident that this new member of the WDC family will demonstrate to the world how design is expanding in application and influence.”
Past cities to hold the title include Torino in Italy in 2008 and Seoul in 2010. - IOL