Graz was declared City of Design! On 16. 03. 2011 the Director-
General of UNESCO in Paris, Ms Irina Bokova, officially announced the inclusion of Graz into the international network of creative cities.
The city has impressively demonstrated its creative potential and is confidently putting itself forward as a candidate for UNESCO City of Design status. Why that is, what City of Design represents and the opportunities that the successful application will bring are explained below.
The application follows a joint initiative by the Styrian government’s holder of the Economy and Innovation portfolio, Dr Christian Buchmann, and Graz mayor Mag. Siegfried Nagl, who are both solid supporters of the creative economy. The Styrian government’s Business Department laid the foundation stone by setting up and funding Creative Industries Styria GmbH to draw up the application. For the City of Graz and Styria as a business location, design now features very high on the agenda. The application is an important step in the development of the region, with the objective of further boosting its international positioning and networking.
UNESCO:
With its strong history of design culture, the city of Graz is committed to embracing design and the creative industries as a strategic tool for socio-economic and cultural development. The city has long demonstrated a growing creative economy with small and medium-sized enterprises across the various fields of design industry, which influences not only the local economy but also the quality of life for its citizens.
The city’s cultural influence has already been manifested through its designation and international profile as European Cultural Capital (2003), UNO City of Human Rights and Capital of Culinary Delights. As a gateway to Southeastern Europe, it is expected to further act as a catalyst for international network in the region.
The following aspects were also valued as Graz’s potential to become a UNESCO City of Design: healthy balance of attracting international audience while showcasing local talent, design-led practices in civic projects, projects with an inclusive design approach raising international awareness, e.g., the International Design Calendar. These experiences shall contribute to strengthening the exchange and collaboration of the UNESCO Design Cities, now reaching to ten.
The application documents were produced by Creative Industries Styria (CIS) on behalf of the City of Graz and with the support of the Styrian government (Department of Business, Innovation and Finance). Creative Industries Styria GmbH is not only in charge of the application but also a pivot and network partner between business and the creative scene. CIS will also co-ordinate all future City of Design activities. Right from the first, a close dialogue was carried on with players in the creative economy, with the effect that the application has strong support from the creative scene itself – one of UNESCO’s criteria for an application.
Martin Krammer is responsible at the Creative Industries Styria (CIS) for the establishment of International Relations and both architectural and urban design issues in connection with the City of Design.
Martin Krammer: http://www.kmd.cc/