Shanghai to host 2026 World Design Cities Conference

The 2026 World Design Cities Conference, co-hosted by the Shanghai government and UNESCO, will run from Sept 28 to 30 at its main venue in Huangpu district, with the flagship exhibition opening to the public on Sept 26, the city's publicity department announced at a news conference on Thursday.

Centered on the theme "Design Generates", the event will feature over 100 programs, including the opening ceremony, a 15,000-square-meter main exhibition showcasing nearly 500 brands and 3,000 exhibits, and more than 50 satellite events across the city, creating an immersive, citywide experience.

Nearly 1,000 global experts and industry leaders will gather to discuss frontier topics such as AI-driven design, green sustainability, and cultural innovation. Key highlights include the Global Creative Cities Design Forum with representatives from over 30 UNESCO Creative Cities, the World Green Design Conference releasing international green standards, and the International Design 100 Forum featuring top global design thinkers.

The conference will also serve as a platform for industrial and talent matchmaking. The "Shanghai Design 100+" Global Competition has drawn over 2,000 entries from more than 10 countries, with shortlisted projects generating nearly 50 billion yuan ($7.45 billion) in industrial output. Annual awards will be unveiled during the event, alongside the second cohort of U35 Young Design Talent roadshows.

Admission is free, with registration available via the official WDCC WeChat mini-program starting next week.

zhangkun@chinadaily.com.cn