For the first time, the title of World Design Capital goes to Germany! On 16 November 2024, this year’s titleholder, San Diego/Tijuana, handed over the prestigious designation to the Frankfurt RheinMain region during a special ceremony in San Diego, California.
The title, awarded every two years by the Canada-based World Design Organization, honours cities and regions that use design as a tool to drive social and environmental innovation. Among the attendees were Todd Gloria, Mayor of San Diego, and Illya Haro, Director of IMAC (Tijuana’s Municipal Institute of Art and Culture), representing Mayor Ismael Burgueño of Tijuana. In a video message, Mike Josef, Lord Mayor of Frankfurt am Main, highlighted the significance of this recognition for the Frankfurt RhineMain region.
Mike Josef, Lord Mayor of Frankfurt am Main:
“The designation as WDC 2026 has the potential to inspire meaningful changes in our society”.
“During the past five months, we have received over 1,000 project ideas – from individuals, cultural institutions, businesses, universities, and many other participants across our Frankfurt RheinMain region. This reflects people’s strong desire to contribute to change and play a role in shaping a livable future.”
Todd Gloria, Mayor of San Diego:
“Our partnership with our contemporaries in Tijuana is stronger, and the achievements we’ve celebrated this year will continue to inspire collaboration and innovation in our region. We’re grateful for the opportunity to lead by example and highlight the power of design to bring cities closer together”.
Ismael Burgueño, Mayor of Tijuana:
“This designation has provided an extraordinary opportunity to show the world the cross-border collaboration so unique to our region. It has also provided a platform to celebrate the design talent and achievements of our creative community. I look forward to promoting the creative and cultural industries that strengthen our cultural identity and drive the economic and social growth of our binational region.”
For the first time, the title of World Design Capital is coming to Germany! On 16 November 2024, this year’s titleholder, San Diego/Tijuana, handed over the prestigious designation to the Frankfurt RheinMain region during a special ceremony in California.
The title, awarded every two years by the Canada-based World Design Organization, honours cities and regions that use design as a tool to drive social and environmental innovation. Among the attendees were Todd Gloria, Mayor of San Diego, and Illya Haro, Director of IMAC (Tijuana’s Municipal Institute of Art and Culture), representing Mayor Ismael Burgueño of Tijuana. In a video message, Mike Josef, Lord Mayor of Frankfurt am Main, highlighted the significance of this recognition for the Frankfurt RhineMain region.
Mike Josef, Lord Mayor of Frankfurt am Main:
“The designation as WDC 2026 has the potential to inspire meaningful changes in our society”.
“During the past five months, we have received over 1,000 project ideas – from individuals, cultural institutions, businesses, universities, and many other participants across our Frankfurt RheinMain region. This reflects people’s strong desire to contribute to change and play a role in shaping a livable future.”
Todd Gloria, Mayor of San Diego:
“Our partnership with our contemporaries in Tijuana is stronger, and the achievements we’ve celebrated this year will continue to inspire collaboration and innovation in our region. We’re grateful for the opportunity to lead by example and highlight the power of design to bring cities closer together”.
Ismael Burgueño, Mayor of Tijuana:
“This designation has provided an extraordinary opportunity to show the world the cross-border collaboration so unique to our region. It has also provided a platform to celebrate the design talent and achievements of our creative community. I look forward to promoting the creative and cultural industries that strengthen our cultural identity and drive the economic and social growth of our binational region.”
