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-Editorial
The World Design Policy Conference, held on November 12-13, 2024, in San Diego, California, made a compelling impact as a fresh and dynamic forum for urbanists, policymakers, community leaders, and global design professionals. With a unique focus on democratizing design, the event, hosted under the World Design Capital San Diego-Tijuana 2024 designation, welcomed participants with the invitation to redefine traditional policy conferences and engage in workshops, design sprints, and serious games focused on pressing urban challenges.
Themed “Beyond Boundaries,” the conference embodied the innovative, cross-border spirit that won San Diego-Tijuana its yearlong designation as a World Design Capital, a first-ever regional rather than city-specific recognition by the World Design Organization. Co-hosted by UC San Diego’s Design Lab and the City of San Diego, the event drew in diverse attendees and showcased IQHQ’s Research and Development District (RaDD), a modern, waterfront location along San Diego Bay. Attendees were among the first to explore RaDD’s six-block site, featuring five acres of green space and public art, all conveniently connected by transit options, including the Trolley, COASTER, Amtrak, and nearby San Diego International Airport.
Notable keynote speakers included Rick Bright, Tim Brown of IDEO, NEA chair María Rosario Jackson, MITRE’s Linda Fischetti, universal design pioneer Patricia Moore, and NPR’s Marco Werman. They collectively brought thought-provoking insights to the discussions on designing inclusive, resilient cities. “This is a must-attend event for those looking to break free from conventional thinking and discover new solutions for urban challenges,” said Mai Thi Nguyen, Director of the Design Lab and conference chair.
Conference organizers emphasized an unconventional approach. Workshops under the conference tracks challenged participants to address real-world issues across themes like cross-border migration, clean energy, biotech, and AI. According to James White, chief programs officer of World Design Capital San Diego-Tijuana 2024, the conference was “a paradigm shift,” pushing attendees to embrace performance, play, and creativity for innovative problem-solving.
The “Beyond Borders: Ecosystem of Connections” track brought the border issue to life with on-site visits and discussions on cross-border collaboration, transboundary governance, and climate adaptation. In “Beyond Creative: Ecosystems of Commerce,” participants learned from the Taiwan Design Research Institute’s project with the Philippines, focusing on sustainable product design and circularity. “Beyond Health: Ecosystems of Change” explored ways to reimagine healthcare through bio-AI systems and collaborative business models, while “Beyond Innovation: Ecosystems of Consequence” engaged attendees in a housing design sprint that balanced real-world constraints of viability and feasibility, exploring alternative housing, clean energy, and life sciences.
Mayor Ismael Burgueño Ruiz of Tijuana, accompanied by Illya Haro, head of the Municipal Institute of Art and Culture, underscored the significance of the conference as a driver of economic, cultural, and social transformation. “Our municipal government sees this collaboration as a shared responsibility to transform our mega-region, which is home to a rich diversity and creativity,” Burgueño stated. He also highlighted Tijuana’s commitment to supporting impactful social projects aimed at bolstering regional cooperation, emphasizing that “teamwork will yield better results for our cross-border region.”
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria echoed this sentiment, expressing pride in the collaboration and shared goals. “We gather here with a shared purpose: to shape a future that transcends borders and elevates urban wellbeing globally. With design as a core focus, San Diego and Tijuana embody the spirit of unity and innovation.”
For the first time in its history, the prestigious title of World Design Capital recognized not a single city but an entire region, reflecting the seamless interconnectivity between San Diego and Tijuana. The conference provided a platform to strengthen Tijuana’s investment in design-driven initiatives and to foster a strong, lasting relationship with San Diego.
