Helsinki shortlisted for World Design Capital 2012

Helsinki has been shortlisted for the World Design Capital 2012 together with the city of Eindhoven of the Netherlands. ICSID, the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design, will announce the winner in November. The total of 46 cities from 27 countries applied for the 2012 nomination. The Helsinki application was a joint venture of five cities, viz. Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Kauniainen and Lahti. The application was prepared in co-operation with actors and business enterprises of the design sector as well as with universities and the state. The cities involved, the state and various other sources have committed themselves to funding the project. The jury that elected the shortlisted cities stated that Helsinki clearly understands the possibilities and objectives of the World Design Capital. According to the application, Helsinki orientates strongly to the future as the design capital and aims at making design an integral factor in developing the citizens’ living conditions, in international interaction and economic progress. World Design Capital is a project of international design societies. An established reputation in the sector, leadership and activities are required from the design capital to be nominated every second year. During the design year, the winner shall provide an internationally interesting programme. The first design capital title was given to Torino in 2008. That nomination was a pilot project made without an application procedure. The very first actual World Design Capital is the South Corean capital Seoul in 2010.   Official press release [1] World Design Capital Website [2] Helsinki Application Document [3] (pdf) Helsinki Application Document [4] (Primapaper) [1] http://www.worlddesigncapital.com/news/releases/main69.htm [2] http://www.worlddesigncapital.com/ [3] http://www.hel2.fi/wdc2012/Helsinki_World_Design_Capital_2012_Application.pdf [4] http://primapaper.fi/julkaisut/helsinki/helsinki-design/primapaper