Professor Dr. Peter Zec as the main speaker in the ‘World Design Capital’ Turin

As the founder of the ‘World Design Capital’ project and Senator of the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid), Professor Dr. Peter Zec spoke at the international conference ’Shaping the Global Design Agenda’ in Turin on November 6, 2008 in order to present the project in the context of the Global Design Agenda. The conference provided a global platform for decision-makers and representatives from the fields of design and politics for the exchange of ideas, experiences and the best possible methods to develop and implement effective and successful design policy.

Over two days, international experts from the world of design and business held lectures on different aspects from the three main topics ‘Design and economy’, ‘Design and society’ and ‘Design and complexity’. The emphasis was on the significant role played by design in connection with economic growth and cultural development; in this era of globalization, countries and regions that perceive and promote design as a profit-making economic factor can master today’s challenges.

This was the idea behind the global competition ‘World Design Capital’, launched by Icsid in cooperation with Icograda, the International Council of Graphic Design Association, which takes place every two years. The competition award prizes to cities that use design in all of its forms in order to redesign the city itself and its surrounding area and make them more attractive for residents and for visitors. As the design expert Peter Zec explains: “The ‘World Design Capital’ initiative is a good example of the extent to which design can fuel strategic thinking and strategic action. The project demonstrates the work achieved by design, acting as an innovative and sustainable factor, in helping to improve quality of life.“ Professor Zec also used the opportunity to launch the new application process for the ‘World Design Capital 2012’ competition. Cities wishing to participate can register by March 31, 2009 at www.worlddesigncapital.com. The results of the competition and the winning city will be announced in November 2009 as part of the ‘Icsid World Design Congress’.

The ’Shaping the Global Design Agenda’ conference was part of the extensive range of events organized by the city of Turin for the year 2008. The city was officially named the first ‘World Design Capital’ in January 2006 by Peter Zec, in his role as President of Icsid at the time.