China welcomes Design Indaba

Three projects will be coordinated and managed by Design Indaba in Shanghai over the next three years, with funding from the Shanghai Minhang District. These include Design Indaba consulting on the creation of a design school of international excellence in the city, the establishment of a Design Indaba Gallery to showcase exhibitions of the best design and creativity sourced from around the world and the first international instalment of its conference in Shanghai.

"Taking Design Indaba to Shanghai is the right step forward in demonstrating the impact of design and creativity to BRIC economies", says its founder, Ravi Naidoo. "The Minhang District is a perfect platform from which to launch to collaborate with and grow the design and innovation community. We are excited by the opportunities the district government has offered us and we look forward to learning from our peers in China."

As a rapidly growing and evolving economy, China is committed to developing the creative sector in the country and becoming a world centre for research and development. Some 100 new design schools are set to open in China in forthcoming months as a platform for the acceleration of design and innovation.

"'Better City, Better Life' was the theme of the Shanghai 2010 Expo. With the launch of Design Indaba, this theme will surely be further pursued in Minhang," says Sun. "The collaboration will bring more opportunities and highlight our process of deepening urbanisation. We warmly welcome them to Minhang."