For the first time in history, a border is elected world capital of design

Every day, more than 150,000 people cross the border between Mexico and the United States. At the border, the flow of migrants reaches record numbers and forms the third largest conurbation in the world in the capitals that share the border: San Diego and Tijuana . This year, a new factor shows that the merger between the two cities goes beyond territorial limits: the title of World Design Capital 2024. Located in the states of California and Baja California, respectively, San Diego and Tijuana are two coastal cities physically bounded by the Pacific Ocean and a mountain range, in addition to having one of the most bureaucratic immigration barriers in the world. However, immigration procedures have never prevented a strong cultural relationship from being established between the metropolises.

Contrary to popular belief, the title of Design Capital is not a recognition of an existing design project in the city. In fact, the award refers to the potential of the chosen capital to generate impact with the program, through design . The city is elected one year before becoming the World Design Capital and, in the meantime, it prepares to receive the title by organizing events such as public meetings, conferences, policy summits and workshops .

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The San Diego and Tijuana plans include rebuilding Friendship Park, an area currently closed to community projects on the border, and hosting a Design Olympics to find solutions to the problem of homelessness. During all 366 days of 2024, the cities are inviting the population to experience design by engaging in the proposed activities. During the first week of May, the cities organized the World Design Festival, an immersive experience in the work of more than 300 designers, filled with lectures and interactive installations.