UC San Diego Park & Market Celebrates Announcement of World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024 Year-Long Program of Events
UC San Diego Park & Market is proud to be home to the World Design Capital (WDC) San Diego Tijuana 2024 headquarters. The official signing ceremony took place at Park & Market in July 2023, attended by more than 300 attendees from both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border and serving to honor the vision, hard work, and support of all those who helped bring the WDC designation to the region.
Organizers from the World Design Organization® and City of San Diego recently announced an exciting year-long program of design-related events and initiatives for the WDC San Diego Tijuana 2024 designation. WDC provides a platform to showcase best practices in design-led policy and innovation, increase civic engagement, and attract business and tourism.
The selection of the San Diego Tijuana region is historic, marking the first time the World Design Organization® has selected a cross-border region and the first time a U.S. city has been chosen. The designation is truly an unprecedented recognition of the creative signature design elements that make San Diego and Tijuana unique.
The region’s winning bid reflects the collective efforts of founding partners UC San Diego Design Lab , Design Forward Alliance , Burnham Center for Community Advancement , City of San Diego, and City of Tijuana, and numerous community supporters.
“We are thrilled to officially announce our year-long program of events and initiatives that have been created and led by community members from the San Diego Tijuana region, and are a reflection of the creative passion that exists here in the community,” said Mai Nguyen, Board Chair of WDC 2024 and Director of UC San Diego Design Lab. “WDC 2024 was made possible due to our passionate cross-border design community. Throughout the year, we will be supporting and presenting design-driven events that align with our mission to transform and elevate our region.”
Throughout 2024, WDC will offer signature events in partnership with the World Design Organization® across the San Diego Tijuana region, including at UC San Diego, featuring interactive design experiences for all. The series kicked off on February 28 with a community celebration at the Tijuana Cultural Center (CECUT). Remaining opportunities include:
- May 1-5, 2024: World Design Festival powered by Tijuana Design Week in Tijuana
- Sept. 18-25, 2024: World Design Experience powered by the Design Forward Alliance and San Diego Design Week in San Diego
- Nov. 12-13, 2024: World Policy Conference powered by the City of San Diego and UC San Diego Design Lab in San Diego
- Nov. 15, 2024: World Design Network of Cities organized in partnership with the City of San Diego, the City of Tijuana, and the World Design Organization in Tijuana
- Nov. 16, 2024: WDC 2024 Convocation Ceremony organized in partnership with the World Design Organization at The Salk Institute
WDC 2024 has also selected internationally recognized visual artist Daniel Ruanova of Tijuana and full-service architecture and design agency Heleo to create a temporary art installation titled “EXCHANGE Pavilion” that will come to life in the Plaza de Panama in Balboa Park and the Palacio Municipal de Tijuana.
Additionally, WDC 2024 will be endorsing 300+ community initiatives offering opportunities for community participation and engagement. These programs will advance the mission of WDC 2024 to transform the region through the lens of design, curated and led by community members from San Diego and Tijuana. The programs are complimented by a donation challenge from the Conrad Prebys Foundation, which will generously match each dollar gift, up to $1 million.
WDC 2024 is pivotal in promoting design excellence and urban policy, drawing investment and creative talent, fostering new partnerships, bolstering knowledge-driven economic growth, and enhancing the global reputation of our region as a premier travel destination.
Join in the excitement for World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024! Learn more about how to participate and support online.