Programme themes
Our programme is built around several thematic tracks. These reflect relevant fields of action within society and explore different dimensions of design.
Thematic tracks
Save Democratic Places – Möglichkeitsräume schützen und schaffen
Save Democratic Spaces advocates for places that foster community and social cohesion – whether they are public, civically reclaimed, or collectively organised. These important spaces are often under pressure, from gentrification to budget cuts. Through public interventions, discussions and exhibitions, we highlight their value and explore how we can actively shape and protect them.
Better Together – in guter Gesellschaft
Better Together is all about sparking change as a community and actively shaping our environment together. This programme track brings together projects that promote communal living, encourage participation and bring neighbourhoods to life. Through hands-on activities and a wide range of engagement opportunities, everyone is invited to join in. Whether it’s cooking, gardening or creating together – these projects open up spaces for diversity, inclusion and social cohesion.
With All Senses – mit allen Sinnen
With All Senses is dedicated to projects that make our bid theme “Design for Democracy” tangible through the body – through movement, sound, atmosphere, touch or taste. Here, democracy is not just discussed or designed, but felt, embodied and experienced. We explore ways of shaping our society through sensory, visual and physical approaches, opening up new perspectives and ways of engaging.
Shaping Futures – Wege in die Zukunft
Shaping Futures focuses on ideas for our future. It addresses topics such as sustainability, digitalisation and mobility. We need creative solutions to actively shape what lies ahead – not merely responding to change, but identifying opportunities, developing ideas for a better tomorrow, and implementing visionary concepts.
Design In Schools – Design macht Schule! Frankfurt RheinMain lehrt Gestaltung
Design In Schools aims to highlight the role of design as a key element in future-oriented education. The goal is to encourage young people to actively help design not only their immediate school environment but also society in general. In these projects, designers, social workers, content creators and many other professionals create meaningful learning experiences far beyond the classroom.
Design In Dialogue – Gestaltung als Ort für Kritik und Reflexion
Design In Dialogue sees design as a practice of questioning, learning and negotiation. It creates spaces for critical reflection, theoretical engagement and interdisciplinary dialogue. Here, design is not simply a solution, but a method for addressing social inequality, rethinking memory, and shaping democratic processes of negotiation.
Creative Minds – Gestalter:innen aus der Region
Creative Minds puts a spotlight on creative thinkers and designers from the region. This thematic track understands design not only as a discipline of form and aesthetics, but also as a practical approach within crafts and creative industries – and as a distinct economic sector. The aim is to make the work of regional designers and producers more visible, to promote exchange, strengthen networks and position World Design Capital 2026 as a platform for the region’s cultural and creative economy.
Fields of action
Work
Since the pandemic at the latest, things have shifted: more people are working from home, saving commuting time and reducing emissions – at least in sectors where this is possible. More and more countries are experimenting with four-day work weeks and companies are allowing employees to decide their own working hours. This calls for new visions of what workplaces can look like – in both urban and rural areas.
Building & Living
How do we want to live in the future? How many square metres does one person really need? Who can still afford rent? In major cities, people are already living in closer quarters. Here, co-housing projects or housing cooperatives offer attractive alternatives in increasingly strained rental markets. At the same time, we need to ask how we can repurpose existing buildings – instead of constantly constructing new ones.
Education
Education drives economic progress and broadens our horizons. It is the key to a better life and the foundation of a strong democracy. Real change can only happen if we bring people of all ages along. Today, education means learning throughout life, staying curious and engaging in research. It’s not just about gaining knowledge – it’s also about practising civic participation and recognising opportunities to help shape our society.
Industry
Despite digitalisation, crafts and material production remain an important economic sector. Data centres and industrial zones are often located in what’s known as the “in-between city” – unstructured spaces between urban and rural areas that call for diverse design solutions. At the same time, more and more industrial operations in city centres are closing down. This opens up opportunities to reshape the urban fabric and make room for forward-looking industries.
Consumption
Do we really need new shoes, a new tablet – and what about the way we eat? These everyday decisions have a direct impact on our environment, but they also open up individual opportunities for change. What we certainly don’t need for a better life is more stuff. Instead, we need new processes for recycling and reusing materials and products – and a stronger focus on cradle-to-cradle approaches.
Culture & Media
Culture creates connections, opens up new perspectives and brings people together. It reveals what often remains hidden in everyday life – and makes it collectively tangible, whether through art, design, performance or media. The diversity of cultural expression is limitless and creates spaces for dialogue and shared creativity, making our world more open and inclusive.
Mobility
In both urban and rural areas, the question is the same: What could an ecological, socially just and resilient mobility of the future look like? Mobility affects us all – it’s not a luxury, but a basic need. The transport sector is responsible for significant emissions and contributes to noise, accidents and the overuse of space. We need to rethink mobility and its infrastructure in a way that suits each specific context.
Public Space
Cities are becoming denser – but also more anonymous. In rural areas, pubs and local sports clubs are disappearing, leaving fewer places to gather. Yet public spaces are essential for democratic exchange and participation. After all, democracy is not lived behind closed doors – it thrives in shared spaces and collective experiences.
Health
As stated in Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for their health and well-being. This includes food, clothing, housing, medical care and essential social services. Health is not just a personal matter – it is deeply shaped by politics and society.
Sport
Movement is good for the body, good for the mind and brings people together. In sport, we communicate without words, share joyful experiences and find a balance to everyday life. Free and inclusive opportunities for physical activity beyond the private home can strengthen communities and neighbourhoods.