Seoul, March 18, 2008 - On behalf of the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Mayor Oh Se-hoon signed
a memorandum of agreement with the International Council of Societies
of Industrial Design (Icsid) during a ceremony earlier today at The
Shilla Hotel in Seoul, officially appointing the city as the World
Design Capital™ (WDC™) 2010.
Approximately 300 people attended the official signing ceremony to celebrate WDC Seoul 2010. Invited guests included Icsid President Prof. Carlos Hinrichsen accompanied by the Icsid Executive Board and the WDC Founding Chair Prof. Dr. Peter Zec, Diplomatic Corps from 41 countries, City Council Members, District Mayors, figures of the international and domestic design community, as well as other city officials.
The city government announced its intention to showcase Seoul as a city that attracts creative talents because of its creativity and innovation. Leading up to 2010, the Korean capital will truly be seen as a global city of design by implementing related projects and building on its image as a glamorous tourist attraction.
During his celebratory speech following the signing, Mayor Oh expressed his firm commitment and confidence in design by stating “in addition to our amazing economic achievement, winning the WDC title is a great opportunity and excellent challenge for us to make a fresh leap forward through design. The year 2010 will be a platform to present Seoul as a global city of design.”
At a press conference held after the signing ceremony, Icsid President Carlos Hinrichsen extended his support for Seoul’s vision for the project by stating, “Seoul will be an exemplary World Design Capital as it develops a strong programme for 2010.” Former Icsid President and WDC Founding Chair Prof. Dr. Peter Zec provided attendees with the background on the creation of the WDC competition and expressed his delight for Seoul.
The event culminated with a presentation of colour and logo design of WDC 2010. The city government explained the selection of red as the colour that will be used to represent Seoul, design, the world, Korean spirit as well as a unique Asian culture.
Looking towards 2010
Major projects currently in development for WDC Seoul 2010 include the Seoul Design Olympiad, U-Design International Competition, construction of the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, the city’s participation in the IDA World Design Report, a Youth Design Creative Camp, as well as initiatives to encourage citizen participation in WDC projects.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has set three phases for the implementation of the WDC 2010 Seoul projects. The first phase in 2008 will lay the foundation for the project; 2009 will be assigned as the preparation phase; and 2010 will be the WDC phase.
Immediately following the signing ceremony, Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Icsid Board Members visited the Dongdaemun Plaza & Park construction site (tentatively named Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), the symbol of Seoul’s design vision, as well as the centrepiece of WDC 2010. The DDP will be established at the current location of Dongdaemun stadium and will be designed and constructed by International Design Competition winner Zaha Hadid (Metonymic Landscape) and Samwoo in Korea (President Han Jong-ryul).
In addition to DDP development, the city government will create a park and get the nearby ancient castle restored by 2010, all of which are expected to contribute to the city’s transformation.
The city government will set up WDC Seoul 2010 promotion booths at Hannover Messe in April, New York International Contemporary Furniture Fair, London Contemporary Design Show and other design shows worldwide. In addition, the city government is looking for ways to create synergy effect, linking its promotion efforts with overseas marketing activities with enterprises in Seoul.
WDC Seoul project implementation procedure
To ensure successful implementation of projects, the city government has set up a WDC Seoul Organising Committee consisting of representatives from the municipal government, as well as experts from design, architectural, academic, cultural, economic and media establishments. The city government will also form an International Advisory Board comprising of world-renowned design and promotion/marketing experts later this year. This advisory board will provide creative advice on setting a direction for WDC 2010 programmes, promote related projects around the globe, and support WDC 2010 programmes of international design community.
The Seoul city government has also set up WDC Division within Seoul Design Headquarters, in order to coordinate WDC 2010 programmes with urban development strategies based on design. The office is charged with the planning, implementation and the global promotion of WDC projects, as well act as the liaison with international design organisations.
The Role of WDC Designated City
World Design Capital (WDC) is a biennial global competition open to all cities in the world. The title is conferred on cities that have demonstrated exceptional progress using the varied tools design offers. A city is appointed as WDC every other year to celebrate its achievements and to share them with other cities. Designated cities are different but the same in that design plays an essential role in reinventing the cities to meet evolving needs in the world.
The WDC competition will attract cities, which aim to make progress through design. Moreover, the project will motivate other cities to learn from WDC titleholders and to aspire to a designation of their own.
Approximately 300 people attended the official signing ceremony to celebrate WDC Seoul 2010. Invited guests included Icsid President Prof. Carlos Hinrichsen accompanied by the Icsid Executive Board and the WDC Founding Chair Prof. Dr. Peter Zec, Diplomatic Corps from 41 countries, City Council Members, District Mayors, figures of the international and domestic design community, as well as other city officials.
The city government announced its intention to showcase Seoul as a city that attracts creative talents because of its creativity and innovation. Leading up to 2010, the Korean capital will truly be seen as a global city of design by implementing related projects and building on its image as a glamorous tourist attraction.
During his celebratory speech following the signing, Mayor Oh expressed his firm commitment and confidence in design by stating “in addition to our amazing economic achievement, winning the WDC title is a great opportunity and excellent challenge for us to make a fresh leap forward through design. The year 2010 will be a platform to present Seoul as a global city of design.”
At a press conference held after the signing ceremony, Icsid President Carlos Hinrichsen extended his support for Seoul’s vision for the project by stating, “Seoul will be an exemplary World Design Capital as it develops a strong programme for 2010.” Former Icsid President and WDC Founding Chair Prof. Dr. Peter Zec provided attendees with the background on the creation of the WDC competition and expressed his delight for Seoul.
The event culminated with a presentation of colour and logo design of WDC 2010. The city government explained the selection of red as the colour that will be used to represent Seoul, design, the world, Korean spirit as well as a unique Asian culture.
Looking towards 2010
Major projects currently in development for WDC Seoul 2010 include the Seoul Design Olympiad, U-Design International Competition, construction of the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, the city’s participation in the IDA World Design Report, a Youth Design Creative Camp, as well as initiatives to encourage citizen participation in WDC projects.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has set three phases for the implementation of the WDC 2010 Seoul projects. The first phase in 2008 will lay the foundation for the project; 2009 will be assigned as the preparation phase; and 2010 will be the WDC phase.
Immediately following the signing ceremony, Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Icsid Board Members visited the Dongdaemun Plaza & Park construction site (tentatively named Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), the symbol of Seoul’s design vision, as well as the centrepiece of WDC 2010. The DDP will be established at the current location of Dongdaemun stadium and will be designed and constructed by International Design Competition winner Zaha Hadid (Metonymic Landscape) and Samwoo in Korea (President Han Jong-ryul).
In addition to DDP development, the city government will create a park and get the nearby ancient castle restored by 2010, all of which are expected to contribute to the city’s transformation.
The city government will set up WDC Seoul 2010 promotion booths at Hannover Messe in April, New York International Contemporary Furniture Fair, London Contemporary Design Show and other design shows worldwide. In addition, the city government is looking for ways to create synergy effect, linking its promotion efforts with overseas marketing activities with enterprises in Seoul.
WDC Seoul project implementation procedure
To ensure successful implementation of projects, the city government has set up a WDC Seoul Organising Committee consisting of representatives from the municipal government, as well as experts from design, architectural, academic, cultural, economic and media establishments. The city government will also form an International Advisory Board comprising of world-renowned design and promotion/marketing experts later this year. This advisory board will provide creative advice on setting a direction for WDC 2010 programmes, promote related projects around the globe, and support WDC 2010 programmes of international design community.
The Seoul city government has also set up WDC Division within Seoul Design Headquarters, in order to coordinate WDC 2010 programmes with urban development strategies based on design. The office is charged with the planning, implementation and the global promotion of WDC projects, as well act as the liaison with international design organisations.
The Role of WDC Designated City
World Design Capital (WDC) is a biennial global competition open to all cities in the world. The title is conferred on cities that have demonstrated exceptional progress using the varied tools design offers. A city is appointed as WDC every other year to celebrate its achievements and to share them with other cities. Designated cities are different but the same in that design plays an essential role in reinventing the cities to meet evolving needs in the world.
The WDC competition will attract cities, which aim to make progress through design. Moreover, the project will motivate other cities to learn from WDC titleholders and to aspire to a designation of their own.
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