Valencia
About the Creative City:
Valencia emphasizes the essential role of design in articulating new processes of co-creation, social interaction, participation, and governance for more efficient, resilient, cooperative, attractive, and sustainable cities. The city has historical links to design, dating back to the 15th century with the first printing press and a flourishing silk industry. Valencia’s commitment to design education is evident, with a strong design legacy and a vibrant cultural and creative sector. The city is recognized as a prominent hub in the global design landscape, fostering connections with leading design centres worldwide.
In the 1980s, the avant-garde design group La Nave revolutionized the perception of design, and innovative design-oriented policies laid the foundation for Valencia’s designation as the World Design Capital in 2002. Today, Valencia is the only city in the country with a Local Design Council, demonstrating its dedication to the field.
Valencia’s main outcomes for its designation include the integration of design into policy-making processes, the strengthening of the design ecosystem, exploration of the impact of design education on urban dynamics, and active participation in UNESCO Creative Cities networks to leverage expertise and experiences.
Added Value:
As a Creative City of Design, Valencia is dedicated:
To establish vibrant centres of creativity and innovation to foster an environment conductive to generating new ideas and innovative approaches;
To launch a hub for international cooperation, particularly in the context of Mediterranean design, recognising the influence of design on sociability, well-being, for fostering social interaction and tolerance; and
To produce an action plan focusing on design education and training, with the aim of leveraging design as a powerful tool across various domains.
