Seoul Design Foundation (SDF), led by CEO Kang Heui CHA, announced that Seoul has been selected as the host city for the 2027 World Design Congress of the World Design Organization (WDO), commemorating its 70th anniversary. This marks Seoul’s continued prominence in the international design network, following its designation as the World Design Capital (WDC) in 2010.
Since its selection as WDC, Seoul has integrated design into urban policy, industrial strategy, and daily life, with the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) as the centerpiece of this transformation over the past 15 years.
The 2027 World Design Congress, scheduled for September in Seoul, will be held under the theme “Design for Sustainable Life”, with a focus on “Togetherness” and “Urban Charm”. The event will feature a diverse program including research and education forums, conferences, and exhibitions. It will provide an opportunity for global design experts and industry leaders to discuss international design policies and emerging trends. The Congress will be centered on DDP, with activities extending throughout the city, including design conferences, exhibitions, and networking events.
Thomas Garvey, President of WDO, commented, “DDP presents itself as an excellent venue to welcome our expected international delegation. The theme ‘Design for Sustainable Life’ provides a relevant platform to continue a global dialogue around new ways in which design will present an effective method to realize our current and future sustainability challenges,” highlighting the reasons for selecting Seoul.
During the Congress, approximately 2,000 participants – including representatives from 215 member institutions across 39 countries, design schools, designers, and citizens – are expected to attend. The event is projected to generate around KRW 7 billion in economic impact through cultural tourism, accommodation, and transportation, while also providing opportunities to expand the global reach of K-Design through active networking with international design leaders.
Since its designation as WDC in 2010, Seoul’s city brand value has risen to KRW 409 trillion, an increase of KRW 22 trillion from the previous year, with KRW 890 billion attributed to the impact of the WDC designation. Leveraging this recognition, Seoul has shifted from a “growth-centered” to a “design-centered” city, enhancing citizens’ quality of life, public design innovation, and urban competitiveness. The World Design Congress 2027 is expected to further strengthen the city’s brand, policy direction, international collaboration, and design infrastructure.
CEO Kang Heui CHA of SDF emphasized,
“Seoul successfully hosted the WDC in 2010 and now possesses robust infrastructure centered on DDP. Hosting the World Design Congress will allow Seoul to lead global design discourse and present new solutions for sustainability and social innovation.”
The Seoul Design Foundation continues to foster a sustainable design ecosystem through facilities including DDP, Seoul Upcycling Plaza – the world’s largest upcycling design platform – and the Seoul Design Startup Center for young entrepreneurs. Building on the experience of leading urban innovation through design since 2010, the City of Seoul and SDF have successfully secured the 2027 World Design Congress.
About the World Design Organization (WDO)
The World Design Organization (WDO) is an international non-governmental organization in the field of industrial design, headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. WDO promotes the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through design-led initiatives.
C O N T A C T
E: ihbae@seouldesign.or.kr