Beijing, City of Design
Since Beijing was designated as the “City of Design” in 2012, it has learnt from the experiences of various national and regional governments, shared ideas on the development of the design industry and had discussions with foreign institutions and scholars on how to promote city development via design through participating in the network member meetings and activities. The channel for collaboration between Beijing Municipal Government, UNESCO and other members of the Network has also been established.
Beijing won support from the central government when applying for the “City of Design”, and we believe that the central government will continue to render full support to the efforts of building the “City of Design”. The Beijing City of Design Coordination and Promotion Commission was established, with Beijing Mayor Wang Anshun as its Director. The Committee is comprised of 15 government agencies, and Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission, as the Committee Office, is responsible for the coordination work. Since 2010, Beijing Municipal Government has issued more than 50 policies to promote the development of the design industry, and produced the “Beijing City of Design Development Plan (2012-2020)”.
In addition, the annual government funds budget has been approved by Beijing Municipal People's Congress. Beijing has been deeply involved in the Creative Cities Network projects, promoted the cooperation in design between China and Africa, and established the Beijing-Nairobi Innovation & Design Research Center. Through holding events such as the China Red Star Design Award and Beijing Design Week, it has strengthened the design cooperation with domestic and international cities. Beijing will hold the “Creative Cities Beijing Summit” for the first time in 2013, and is contacting UNESCO to discuss the possibility of holding the “Design Beijing: Old and New” design exhibition at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
Beijing strives to enhance the role of science and technology in the design industry, and improve the capacity of its citizens in creating a good ecological environment, improving the quality of life and promoting sustainable development of the city through the power of design. The 100,000m2 City of Design building has been put into use. China’s first design market has been opened, and its first 3D printing experience pavilion has been established. More than 400 activities have been held in over 30 creative clusters including 798 Art Zone and DRC industrial design base. The 9th China International Garden Expo, to be launched on 18 May 2013 will showcase a number of garden design achievements at home and abroad, reflecting the role of design in ecological civilization.
Culture is the source of creativity. The Network serves as a platform for cross-city cooperation. The creative network provides cities with development opportunities in the design industry, highlights the resources of the cities and enhances their visibility on the world stage. We believe that Beijing will contribute to the Network with its rich technology and design resource, abundant historical resource and diversified cultural resource.
Share the development opportunities. Create a better future.
(Yan Aoshuang, 2013)
Yan AoshuangDirector, Beijing City of Design Coordination and Promotion Commission Office
Director, Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission