Design fans, unite! The 2025 World Design Cities Conference opened this week in east Chinas Shanghai, uniting creative minds under the theme "Design Boosts Flourishing". Hosted by the Shanghai Municipal People's Government and UNESCO, it's set to spark global collabs and fresh ideas in everything from smart cities to cultural vibes. 🌐💡
In his opening speech, Gong Zheng, mayor of Shanghai, looked back at 15 years since Shanghai joined UNESCO's Creative Cities Network. "Shanghai Design" has powered the city's growth with fresh creativity and originality, helping it evolve into a modern international metropolis with real clout on the world stage. 🚀
He stressed the goal to supercharge design across sectors, boost the originality of "Shanghai Design" and fast-track the city's journey to becoming a top design capital. This push is key to building a modern industrial system, strengthening Shanghai's cultural soft power, and setting a people-centered urban model. 🏙️🎨
Joining the buzz, Xing Bo, vice president of China Media Group, highlighted how design fuels the future of communication. "Design lets us reshape how we connect, light up life with culture, and map out tomorrow with tech," she said, hinting at exciting media and tech mashups ahead. 📺🤖
Shanghai's design sector now tops 1.6 trillion yuan (around $224 billion), weaving creativity into industry, urban renewal, and public services. From inclusive park designs in Singapore to sustainable street art in Mumbai, the conference will share game-changing ideas to power global cities. 🌱🖌️
Whether you're a UX whiz in Manila or an eco-designer in Dhaka, this conference is your ticket to the future of design-driven life. Stay tuned for talks on smart public transport, inclusive urban spaces, and the next wave of lifestyle hacks. Let's make design the driving force for a better world! 🌟✈️
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
