Key themes

February 2026

Designing living spaces: building and living

How we live is closely linked to issues of sustainability, land use, and community. In growing cities, innovative solutions must be found to use space efficiently while ensuring quality of life. Architecture and urban planning play a central role in this, for example in modular living concepts, integrative neighbourhood planning, and new construction methods. This is precisely where the WDC's focus on building and living comes in, with various events and formats in Frankfurt and the RheinMain region.

March 2026

Future in motion: design and mobility 

Mobility has been changing for some time now: electric mobility, sharing concepts, and the expansion of public transport are changing our lives. Design shapes not only vehicles and infrastructure, but also the interfaces between people and technology. What might ecological, social, and resilient mobility look like in the future? Answers to these and other questions are provided by various best practice examples and projects in the region that will focus on design and mobility in March 2026.

April 2026

Rethinking learning: design and education

Rethinking learning: design and education Education not only imparts knowledge, but also skills that enable us to shape our future in a meaningful and sustainable way. Design opens up new ways of learning, from innovative school architecture to didactic methods. This involves spaces, tools, and concepts that promote creativity, participation, and interdisciplinary thinking. The WDC events focusing on design and education also address lifelong learning, research, and education as the foundation for a strong democracy. The WDC Pavilion will also travel through the region from April to October 2026, stopping at several central locations – from bustling city squares to cultural landmarks. As a travelling event centre, it brings WDC 2026 directly to the people.

May 2026

Spaces for everyone: design in public spaces

At a time when cities are becoming denser but increasingly anonymous, and rural areas are losing sports clubs and pubs as public meeting places, public spaces are becoming increasingly important. They shape how people experience and use cities. Design helps to make squares, parks, and infrastructure accessible, aesthetic, sustainable, and functional. This creates meeting places that foster identity and improve the quality of life in both urban and rural areas. The WDC events in May will focus on best cases and further questions.

June 2026

Cycles of the future: design and economics

Design and creativity are crucial factors for sustainable innovation in the economy. Instead of constantly creating new products, the focus is shifting to responsible consumption, reuse, and recycling. Cradle-to-cradle concepts and new circular economy processes show how design can combine ecological responsibility and economic success. In June, Open – Design Week Frankfurt RheinMain – the World Design Experience will show how design is paving the way for a resource-efficient and sustainable economy. Frankfurt RheinMain will become an international stage for jointly shaping the future: for ten days, visionary design from the region will meet with inspiration from around the world. The Open combines a trade fair, networking platform, stage and innovation forum and is aimed at the entire cultural and creative industries. We will focus on innovations from the region and cross-sector networking in Frankfurt, Offenbach, Wiesbaden, and Darmstadt.

July 2026

Laboratories of ideas: design at universities

Colleges and universities are developing new ideas, methods, and interdisciplinary approaches that will shape the future of design work. Design research and teaching are creating impulses that extend far beyond the academic sphere. Students and teachers are testing innovative concepts that combine creativity, sustainability, and cooperation. In collaboration with various universities, a wide range of events are being organised that focus on the training and further development of design skills. The WDC Campus is the central future project of the World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026. It highlights how students, graduates, and doctoral candidates think and work today – and the potential that this generation has to offer.

August – September 2026

Help shape things instead of just watching: participation

Good design comes from talking with the people who use it. Participatory processes get citizens, as well as associations, initiatives, and other players involved in planning and implementation early on. This leads to solutions that are not only functional but also socially anchored and accepted. Design serves as a tool to visualise ideas, balance interests and translate diverse perspectives into concrete projects. To celebrate the diversity of design in August 2026: A month full of creative experiences: from 7 August to 6 September 2026, installations, tours, and exhibitions will take centre stage as part of WDC Summer. At the heart of WDC Summer is the free Module Festival in Offenbach, Darmstadt, and Wiesbaden – on three consecutive weekends in August 2026. The aim is to bring people together, open up new perspectives and transcend creative boundaries. Admission is free.

Oktober – November 2026

Designing democracy: design in politics 

Design can make political processes more transparent and comprehensible – through user-friendly administrative services, new forms of citizen participation or as a bridge in international cooperation. Methods such as design thinking open up ways to make political decisions more creative and participatory and to give young generations impetus for future-oriented politics. The World Design Policy Days 2026 in October and November will highlight the impact that design can have on political discourse. This is because they understand design not only as an economic or aesthetic factor, but as a strategic tool for social transformation. The central forum is the three-day World Design Policy Conference in Wiesbaden, Offenbach, and Frankfurt. It is divided into the topics of politics, administration, and attitude and brings together global experts from the fields of design, politics, and science.

As the final component of the regional design strategy, the Policy Days will culminate in the Design Action Plan Frankfurt RheinMain. The highlight will be the closing meeting in Frankfurt's Paulskirche, which will open the dialogue with regional politicians. There, the international network of World Design Capitals will meet at the regional level – and the WDC title will be handed over to Busan, South Korea, during the festive Convocation Ceremony.

December 2026

What next – what remains? Legacy – sustainability – moving forward 

With the title World Design Capital 2026, the Frankfurt RheinMain region will become a workshop for experimentation and change. It will build on its creative and international identity and bring together civil society, creative professionals, research, business, politics, and administration. The aim is to create sustainable structures in which design and creativity strengthen democracy and secure future viability – with an impact beyond the region.

Short-term legacy 2026 – Building momentum

• WDC 2026 is introducing new structures that will serve as a model for the future.
• More than 350 projects are creating a vibrant, diverse network through formats, tours, and workshops.
• More than 500,000 people are experiencing how their ideas and commitment are having a tangible impact.
• Over 5,000 are actively involved in the design process.
• Initial indicators show social, economic and ecological impulses that will continue to have an impact from 2027 onwards.

Long-term legacy from 2027 onwards

• Frankfurt RheinMain Design Week will continue annually, ensuring international visibility.
• Governance & politics: Steering committee for design policy will permanently anchor design in administration and politics.
• FRM House of Design: Will become a regional centre for exhibitions, consulting, research, and evaluation.
• UNESCO City of Design: Application from 2026, admission by 2029 with access to international networks and funding.
• Political impact: Pilot administrations test user-centred approaches and scale them nationwide.
• Talent & economy: Universities teach ‘design for democracy’, start-ups settle in the region, export shares rise.
• Regional identity: By 2030, the region will establish itself as a cohesive design ecosystem with strong storytelling.