Valencia becomes a Unesco creative city in the field of design

The Econcult Research Unit, together with the Fundació Disseny CV, has successfully applied for the city of Valencia to be recognised as a Unesco Creative City in the field of Design.??

València is a city of medium size, with a population of approximately 800,000 inhabitants, situated along the Mediterranean coast. The city maintains a human-scale atmosphere.

Founded by the Romans, València bears traces of the civilizations that have left their mark on the city throughout history. Its golden era was the 15th century when it served as the hub of the Mediterranean Sea. Towards the end of the 19th century, the city's urban and rural attributes blended harmoniously in a captivating symbiosis, driven by the exportation of agricultural products from its fertile orchards, originally designed by the Muslims, which gained competitive prominence.

Presently, València stands as an innovative European city, home to esteemed institutions in knowledge and technology. It attracts the highest number of Erasmus students in Europe and is renowned for its pioneering approach to placemaking, exemplified by the transformative redevelopment of its waterfront and other public spaces. Notably, in 2024, it is slated to become the Green Capital of Europe.

The city's remarkable urban features include the impressive Turia Garden, situated within the former riverbed, and its productive periurban orchard. València encompasses all the cultural amenities befitting a city of its size and thrives as a vibrant hub, boasting an abundance of natural wonders such as the Albufera lake and a wealth of historical heritage. Furthermore, in 2022, it was honored with the title of World Design Capital

The primary anticipated outcome, of becoming "creative city" centers around the integration of design into policy-making processes. This involves leveraging design in the formulation of local public policies and harnessing the potential of the design ecosystem to address the significant challenges confronted by the city, as outlined in the Missions Valencia 2030 strategy.

The second objective pertains to the strengthening of the design ecosystem, aiming to establish the city as a design-friendly region where economic activities are intertwined with design, as well as other cultural and creative endeavors..

The third aspect focuses on exploring the impact of design education on urban dynamics, particularly by providing training opportunities for citizens, especially the youth, in the field of design. We aim to examine how this can influence urban development.

Lastly, the city desires to engage, learn from, and potentially lead among the pool of knowledge and community practices present in UNESCO Creative Cities. We seek to actively participate in these networks, leveraging their expertise and experiences to further our own progress.

The preparation process has been a collaborative effort inherited from the WDC2022 process itself. This partnership involves various stakeholders, including academic institutions such as the Design Archive, the two major public universities, and the city's design schools. It also encompasses the Designers' Association of the Valencian Community and the Disseny de la CV Foundation, which will oversee the legacy of WDC2022.

As of March 2023, the design sector in Valencia employed 1,550 individuals, exhibiting a growth rate of 27% since December 2019, surpassing many other major cities in Spain. Out of these employees, 70% work as self-employed, while the remaining 30% hold salaried positions. A recent study indicated that the celebration of WDC2022 had a significant economic impact, generating an income of 40 million euros and a production value of 90 million euros. This highlights the substantial multiplier effect of design on the city's economic activity. Valencia's design sector thrives within a vibrant cultural and creative ecosystem, hosting nearly 1,800 creative companies that generate approximately 20,000 jobs and contribute to a turnover of 1.7 billion euros.

The city is committed to making a significant impact within UNESCO's Creative Cities network through the following objectives:

1. Developing Creativity and Innovation Hubs: The city aims to establish vibrant centers of creativity and innovation. It seeks to foster an environment conducive to generating fresh ideas and innovative approaches.

2. Enhancing International Cooperation: Valencia aspires to become a hub for international cooperation, particularly in the context of Mediterranean design. It recognizes the influence of design on sociability, well-being, for fostering social interaction and tolerance.?

3. Promoting Design Education and Training: Through an action plan focused on design education and training, the city aims to utilize design as a powerful tool across various domains?