LZF’s home city of Valencia has been named World Design Capital 2022. It’s an incredible honour for this darling of the Mediterranean, a city with an enduring and rich design legacy. The eighth city to hold the title, Valencia follows in the footsteps of a number of previous and worthy design capitals, including Mexico City (2018), Taipei (2016) and Helsinki (2012). Lille Metropole in France is 2020’s World Design Capital.

The title of World Design Capital is awarded biennially by the World Design Organisation (WDO), given to a city that is using design to drive its economic, social, cultural and environmental development. Established in 1957, the WDO champions industrial design-driven innovation, with the aim of creating a better world. In selecting Valencia, WDO President, Luisa Bocchietto, explained: ‘Valencia’s bid articulated a compelling proposal that clearly demonstrates the effective application of Mediterranean design, of design for change and design as a key reference point to improve [a] citizen’s quality of life.’

Valencia is a city with a well-established design community, representing a range of disciplines that include: architecture, product design, industrial design, and spatial design. Its status as World Design Capital 2022 will work to heighten the city’s design profile on the world stage, in effect promoting both Valencian and Spanish design collectively. Beyond the city, organisers plan to involve the wider Valencian Community, incorporating the provinces of Alicante and Castellón. Valencia’s World Design Capital programme of events will consider design across all facets of society, including politics, education, tourism, innovation, culture, business and ecology. 

For those new to Valencia, it is a city filled with character, featuring many wonderful aspects. Architecture buffs have much to explore, while beach types will find easy access to a sandy shore. Valencia boasts a host of museums, the magnificent City of Arts and Sciences complex, and a historic old town, with more than 2,000 years of history. The Central Market is perfect for foodies, with fresh Mediterranean produce and flavours, all housed in a 1920s modernist masterpiece. Valencia is the birthplace of paella, and the city offers numerous spots in which to enjoy this classic Spanish dish. There is even a World Paella Day, celebrated on the 20th September (#WorldPaellaDay). And we cook a mean paella here at LZF.