2014: A Milestone For South Africa And A New Design For The Future

The year 2014 represents a significant milestone for South Africa as it will mark 20 years since the countrys first free democratic elections in 1994. Cape Town has just been selected as one of only three cities to make it into the final round for consideration as the World Design Capital 2014. If we win this prestigious accolade, it will be the perfect year for Capetonians to support the theme of Cape Towns bid which celebrates our democracy: Live design. Transform Life.

According to the Bid Book Committee, the story at the heart of Cape Towns bid theme is about the citys use of design to overturn the negative legacy of its colonial and apartheid past; a cruel design which aimed to divide people, disconnect the city, and force both people of colour and the urban poor to its fringes.

Protea Hotel Breakwater Lodge Just a minute away from restaurants, theatres and shops, the Breakwater Lodge, one of the finest hotels operated by Protea Hotels, is a perfectly positioned Cape Town hotel in the heart of V&A Waterfront.Available to book online on bookmyroom-sa.com.

Since the end of this era in 1994, Cape Town has begun using design as a tool across all sectors to transform and reconnect the city. The design we are talking about is not the creation of high-end stuff or design for designs sake. It is about design-led social solutions, public spaces informed by design and sustainably designed transport and infrastructure upgrades, such as the new Integrated Rapid Transport system, which are making life better for residents and visitors alike.

Protea Hotel Colosseum The 4-Star Protea Hotel Colosseum is a 4 star hotel in Century City, Cape Town. Considered by many to be the citys finest urban luxury hotel. The Protea Hotel Colosseum occupies a prime position in Century City, just ten minutes from the Cape Town city centre and CBD(Central Business District).Available to book online on bookmyroom-sa.com.

At the recent World Design Capital 2014 Bid Book handover, Cape Town Executive Mayor Patricia de Lille said, We are building an inclusive city, one based around five pillars: the opportunity city, the safe city, the caring city, the inclusive city and the efficient city. Design is a tool for all of these areas of building a truly inclusive city.

The platform for Cape Towns World Design Capital 2014 bid is not based on the notion that we are a design capital of the world, but instead an acknowledgement that we are using design as an instrument for social, cultural and economic change. Of the three finalists (the others are Bilbao, Spain and Dublin, Ireland) we are most significantly placed in our employment of design as an instrument of social transformation. Just look at projects like the Economic Development Agency, industrial design for the low-carbon economy such as the Joule electric car in Woodstock; design for social and community development such as the work of the Reconstructed Living Laboratory in Athlone, and the Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrading programme in Khayelitsha.

Being shortlisted for the World Design Capital 2014 title is yet another opportunity to change perceptions and reposition Cape Town, South Africa and Africa on the world stage, as we did with the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The internationally regarded Bruce Maus Massive Change Network says it best: Its not about the world of design, its about the design of the world and in this case, the design of our city.