World Design Capital 2016 Taipei shifts into high gear

2016/10/14

The Network of Cities Meeting and International Design House Exhibition kicked off Oct. 13 in Taipei, the most high-profile events of the city’s tenure as World Design Capital, an international biennial project recognizing the accomplishments of cities in the realm of design.

Officials and policymakers from around the world, notably Jussi Panjunen, mayor of WDC 2012 Helsinki, gathered for the one-day network meeting to discuss design-based solutions to the challenges of urban development. The exhibition, scheduled to run until Oct. 30 at Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, will explore the impact of WDC initiatives in Taipei.

“This month, more than 100 designers are gathering in Taiwan to build links and exchange thoughts. I expect these activities will inspire Taipei to continue coming up with outstanding design ideas,” Taipei City Deputy Mayor Chen Chin-jun said during a WDC promotional event Oct. 11.

Taipei was designated WDC 2016 by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design, a nonprofit organization based in Montreal, Canada. As such, the city was tasked with organizing events throughout the year aimed at enhancing its reputation as a hub of creativity and innovation.

Several major WDC activities have already been held, such as the Design Gala in March. During the event, notable figures and innovators were honored at Icsid’s biennial World Design Impact Prize ceremony.

Over the course of 2016, both striking and subtle changes have taken place across Taipei. Design firms were contracted by the city government to make innovative signs for select businesses, and creative touches were added to metro stations, such as redesigned umbrella stands and eye-catching murals.

Before Taipei’s designation as WDC 2016, the country had already developed a reputation for innovative design. For example, a total of 98 submissions from Taiwan earned prizes at this year’s Red Dot Award, a distinguished Germany-based industrial design competition.

The city is set to hand over its WDC title to Mexico City, which will hold the distinction in 2018.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=248639&ctNode=2194&mp=9)