Cape Town wins World Design Capital 2014 bid

Cape Town has been named the official World Design Capital for 2014, winning the accolade from competing shortlisted candidates, Bilbao, Spain and Dublin, Ireland.

The World Design Capital title is awarded every two years by the International Council for Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID) to increase global awareness of cities dedicated to using design for social, economic and cultural development and change. The World Design Capital title is awarded two years in advance to allow the winning city sufficient time to plan, develop and promote a year-long programme of World Design Capital-themed events that throw an international spotlight on the winning city’s creative sector.

Cape Town Tourism (CTT) says the win has come at an optimal time as the city gears itself for more sustained economic growth and a more significant share of the world’s urban travellers. CTT recently unveiled its new marketing strategy and global marketing campaign, which aligns well with the intentions behind the city’s World Design Capital 2014 bid.

Cape Town Tourism PR and Communications Manager, Skye Grove, said:  “The build-up to the announcement in Taipei was exhilarating. The Cape Town delegation met with the other two short-listed cities, Dublin and Bilbao, and agreed that the bid process and winner announcement was the start of a journey of collaboration between all three cities. Solid city relationships in design and tourism were formed and we will be taking these connections into the future.

“Cape Town also met with the World Design Capital 2012 Helsinki who agreed to share learnings from their journey. Helsinki confirmed the significant influence the World Design Capital title has had on city branding and marketing – the spin-offs for their tourism sector have been significant. The World Design Capital organising body (ICSID) confirmed that it was an extremely close race with all three cities submitting high-quality bids. The Cape Town team is extremely excited and is looking forward to returning home to the amazing citizen support received in the build-up and while being here in Taipei,” said Grove.