The Sydney Business Chamber says recognition of Sydney with a focus on the emerging Parramatta CBD as the 2020 World Design Capital will give the city a great opportunity to shine on the world stage as a creative centre of excellence.

Greater Sydney will showcase all it has to offer as international judges tour the city to determine whether it will beat out Lille in France for the title of World Design Capital for 2020. 

“Great cities need great design principles and the two CBDs, Sydney and Parramatta, are not only driving the Sydney economy but are emerging as amongst the top creative centres in the world,” said Patricia Forsythe, Executive Director of the Sydney Business Chamber.

“Creative industries have been the fastest growing sector in Sydney for a number of years. They represent the second largest employment sector within the city and are the key drivers of Sydney’s largest annual festival, Vivid.

“Just last week Sydney was announced as the venue for  a global start-up and innovation hub that will transform Sydney into Australia’s top innovation destination  and one of the most significant in the Asia Pacific,” Mrs Forsythe said. 

Sydney Business Chamber, Western Sydney Director David Borger said Parramatta was well on its way to establishing itself as Sydney’s dual CBD. 

“The World Design Capital is a significant opportunity to lift design quality and change the design culture in Sydney.

“Bringing the world’s leading designers together should expand our thinking and help solve design challenges such as the massive number of projects being planned for Parramatta,” Mr Borger said. 

City of Parramatta Council Administrator Amanda Chadwick said being named Host City and World Design Capital 2020 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,” Ms Chadwick said. 

Registrar for the NSW Architect’s Registration Board and member of Design Sydney, Tim Horton, said Sydney was known around the world for its iconic landmarks and other great designed objects.

“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. 

“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,” Mr Horton said. 

Good Design Australia Chief Executive Officer and past President of the World Design Organisation Dr Brandon Gien said Sydney being shortlisted puts Sydney and Australia on the global map for design and innovation. 

“The World Design Capital designation provides a unique platform for a city to tell its design story to the world and we believe Sydney and particularly Greater Sydney has a remarkable story to tell.

“Sydney has many challenges that can be solved when looked at through the lens of design.

“Getting Sydney to win the World Design Capital is a long-term initiative aimed squarely at positioning Sydney and Australia as a leading design and creative destination,” Dr Gien said.   

The winning city will be announced in Italy in October.