🏙️ The World Design Cities Conference (WDCC) 2024 kicked off in Shanghai this Friday, uniting global visionaries under the theme ‘Design Reframing Growth’. Co-hosted by the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government and UNESCO, the event aims to redefine how design fuels innovation and shapes cities of the future. 🌍✨
Design as a Global Catalyst
With over 100+ sessions planned until Monday, the conference is a hotbed for ideas—from integrating cutting-edge tech into urban planning to boosting ‘new quality productive forces’ (think: sustainable, tech-driven growth). Shen Haixiong of China Media Group praised Shanghai’s role as a ‘pioneer in Chinese modernization,’ blending global design trends with local flair to create a ‘modern socialist metropolis.’ 🏗️🎨
Shanghai’s Vision: People-First Design
Mayor Gong Zheng doubled down on Shanghai’s commitment to becoming a ‘world-class design city.’ Key priorities? Using design to revamp industries, upgrade public services, and make urban spaces more livable. ‘We’re merging creativity with tech to meet global challenges,’ he said, highlighting plans to weave design into everything from cultural projects to eco-friendly infrastructure. 🌱🚀
🔍 Why it matters: As cities worldwide grapple with rapid urbanization, WDCC 2024 offers a blueprint for turning design into a tool for equity, sustainability, and cross-border collaboration. Stay tuned for more updates!
