World Design Capital Valencia 2022

Valencia, the city named World Design Capital in 2022, hosted the World Design Policy Conference at the Conference Centre. In our building, which was designed by Norman Foster, major urban challenges that are deeply rooted in society's activities were addressed.
The main aim of the event, in addition to bringing together international experts in design policy, was to constitute a sustainable meeting point to enable the adoption and popularisation of design policies on a global scale. Moreover, in its conception the event was fully aligned with the Centre's sustainable values.

In terms of logistics, plastic-free digital accreditations were used with a barcode.
The exhibition was also aligned with sustainability. A Fedrigoni paper truck focussed on the manufacture of sustainable paper, interacting with the attendees in the Foyer area. In auditorium 1, where the speeches and presentations were held, reused design furniture and honeycomb cardboard decorations were used.
The catering offered at the event was based on local products served with sustainable materials to offer a healthy and balanced diet. The free gifts (earthenware pots) and merchandising, which included a recycled paper notebook and a bag made from natural materials, were also sustainable.
The conference was structured around five key topics in which design has and will have the opportunity to provide solutions: plans of action, transformation of cities, social changes, education and the promotion of design as a necessary tool for society. Each of the topics benefited from the presence of international experts such as Ezio Manzini (president of DESIS Network), Alok Nandi (professor of design, creativity and innovation at the Institut Paul Bocuse), Hanna Harris (Chief Design Officer of the city of Helsinki), Brandon Gien (CEO of Good Design Australia), Anna Whicher (head of design policy at the International Centre of Design and Research) and Leyla Acaroglu, sustainability strategist.

Over half a thousand people attended in person as well as companies, organisations and institutions. The Conference Centre adapted to the event’s needs, offering services which harmonised with the desired line of sustainability.

In addition, the main legacies of the event in the Centre were some spectacular vinyl banners in the exhibition area, depicting the "Sustainable Wave". The metaphor used referred to the Mediterranean Sea and also its purpose of raising awareness by "pulling" audiences along (like the wave of the sea) to contribute to the SDGs. This exclusive design includes the logos of the 17 SDGs in a colourful 260m wave which displayed legends explaining each one.
This conference, which met all expectations, served as a stimulus to encourage design to play a relevant role in public policies, from the perspective of rigour and good judgement in their application. Solutions were also provided in the use of design methods and approaches to address social or political challenges and the integration of different branches of design in public and private policies, with a focus on people, sustainability and inclusion.