Shanghai is buzzing this week as the 2025 World Design Cities Conference swings open its doors under the banner "Design Boosts Flourishing." Co-hosted by the Shanghai Municipal People's Government and UNESCO, the event gathers top innovators, policymakers and creative minds from across the globe to explore how design can fuel tomorrow's industries and urban landscapes.
Mayor Gong Zheng reflected: 'Over the past 15 years, Shanghai Design has powered our city's growth with creativity, innovation and originality.' He underscored Shanghai's push to become a world-class, modern, socialist international metropolis with global influence.
With a strategic focus on design-driven industries, Shanghai now boasts a design sector exceeding 1.6 trillion yuan (about US$224 billion) in scale. From smart city upgrades to cultural preservation and public services, these breakthroughs are reshaping how we live and work—and offering a blueprint for other UNESCO Creative Cities Network members.
Xing Bo, vice president of the China Media Group (CMG), said: 'The beauty of design allows us to reshape communication through innovation, illuminate life with culture, and chart the future with technology.' She called for deeper collaboration to enrich lifestyles and strengthen governance worldwide.
As workshops, exhibitions and roundtables kick off in Shanghai's landmark venues, participants are already mapping out fresh ways to harness design as a new quality productive force. Whether you're a startup founder, digital nomad or policy changemaker, this conference offers a front-row seat to the power of design in building cities—and communities—of the future.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
