Parramatta has been named as the official host city for Sydney’s bid for the 2020 World Design Capital.
Currently, Sydney is competing with the French city of Lille for the title. If successful, Sydney is on track to become the first Australian city to receive this award.
The World Design Capital is chosen every two years by the Montreal-based World Design Organization (WDO). The title is given to the city that is thought to best advance “design-led innovation to progress its economic, social, cultural and environmental development”.
City of Parramatta council administrator, Amanda Chadwick, says being named host city and 2020 World Design Capital would put Parramatta on a “global stage”.
“There is a lot of leading design work and planning being undertaken in Parramatta as we manage and facilitate significant growth, while working to create highly liveable communities and a thriving world-class CBD,” she says.
Among this design work and planning is Woods Bagot’s 54-storey multi-residential project at 8 Phillip Street, Populous’ $300 million Parramatta Stadium, and ASPECT Studio and SJB’s ‘Civic Link’ green corridor.
But of course, Sydney is best known for iconic landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.
“The Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House, the Cochlear Implant are all examples of Sydney-designed projects and recognition as the World Design Capital will give Sydney the nudge it needs to make the next leap,” says Tim Horton, registrar of the NSW Architect’s Registration Board.
“Other cities and other countries are known as design centres. We think Sydney can take its place as a centre of good design, and a better focus on good design can help create an even better Sydney.”
The winning city will be announced at the WDO’s General Assembly in Torino this October.
