Geelong’s designation as Australia’s first and only UNESCO City of Design as formally launched on Wednesday 16 May at the Geelong Library & Heritage Centre.

One of only 31 cities worldwide recognised as a City of Design, Geelong’s designation is a recognition that our city has been historically, and will continue to be, shaped and influenced by design.

Geelong has been filled with many Australian and world design firsts and some Geelong inventions or designs have changed the world. The UNESCO designation acknowledges our region’s rich history, from its indigenous heritage, textiles and wool production, auto design and manufacturing and surf culture to the innovations currently being made in advanced manufacturing and the provision of public art.

Architecturally, Geelong exhibits a wonderful mix of classic ‘Boom Time’ civic and industrial buildings, many of which have been maintained, but repurposed for modern usages.  These sit comfortably beside the stunning, contemporary designed Waterfront precinct, which has been created to provide the perfect intersection between the human, land and maritime influences of this wonderful coastal asset.

Design remains a driver of the Geelong economic and creative sectors, with Ford Motor Company committing its resources to the Geelong based Hi-Tech Design, Innovation and Research Centre.  Deakin University’s Carbon Nexus and the Australian Future Fibres Research Innovation Centre, providing world leading materials based around applied design. 

Keynote speaker at the launch of Geelong’s UNESCO City of Design designation, US design expert Ellie Schneider, shared her reflection on her visit in the Geelong Advertiser on Monday 21 May.

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As part of the celebrations the School of Architecture and Built Environment hosted a showcase event that celebrated the work of Architecture, Landscape and Creative Arts in the Geelong region.

See the attached article:   Geelong Advertiser 21 May 2018

Photo: Elle Schneider and Geelong Mayor, Cr Bruce Harwood