ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the strategy of Helsinki to become a design-driven city, using the World Design Capital (WDC) as a catalyst for change. It discusses Helsinki's strategy to become a design-driven city using WDC Helsinki 2012 as a catalyst and explains the context in which this strategy has been developed. The chapter assesses the city's performance and identifies contextual factors that influence this performance also considering recent changes. It focuses on context variables considered relevant for the rise of the design-driven city: not only changes in the economic and demographic structure, but also changes in governance and how the city and the region develop spatially. The chapter presents the city's vision and strategy, and explains what actions relate to design. The process of embedding design in urban development consists of three steps: awareness, knowledge and action. The event attracted many visitors and resulted in positive media attention for Helsinki and Finland, strengthening their image.
