Aalto University to be in forefront of Helsinki Design Capital year

Controversy over municipal library policy boils over

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It has been just two days since Helsinki was chosen to be the World Design Capital of 2012.
      Helsinki Mayor Jussi Pajunen, who was reached in Singapore, where the prize was announced, says that setting up the design year organisation will begin immediately, and that a detailed framework for the year will be ready early next year.
      “The foundation model, which will take on the key players, could work”, Pajunen says.
     
Taking part in the project are the cities of Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Lahti and Kauniainen, as well as the Finnish state, various universities, and private companies.
      Pajunen says, however, that all players in the field of design will be allowed to participate in the project.
     
The budget for the design year is EUR 15 million, of which EUR 6 million were to come from the cities.
      Various government ministries will provide EUR 5 million, and the rest would come from companies, foundations, and sponsorships.
      Pajunen says that the project already has the support of important companies in the field, such as Nokia, Kone, Marimekko and Iittala.
      “In addition to there being an operational budget, several other players, associations, and private individuals who finance their own activities can join in.”
     
The aim of the design year is to “include design into life” in such a way that the impact of the year can be seen far into the future.
      Pajunen sees the new Aalto University as a key figurehead of the year.
      “It is an innovative solution, and a project that is closely followed internationally.”
      Other projects in which design is taken into consideration include the development of the Central Pasila area, the Töölönlahti Central library, and the development of the South Harbour, Pajunen says.
     
The year will naturally have many design-related events. At the beginning of the year Pajunen promises a week of public celebrations.
      An official opening is to take place at Finlandia Hall. Kiasma, the Museum of Contemporary Art will hold an exhibition of international artists and designers, and the Music Centre will have the opening seminar of the design year. Public events will also be held.
     
One of the biggest events will involve inviting 1,000 young designers from around the world to Helsinki to hold workshops to discuss problems surrounding design.
      There are also plans to reconsider the role of Helsinki Design Week. For many years its events have included exhibitions, seminars, and tours of places that have been hard for ordinary citizens to join.
     
In its application, Helsinki emphasised the importance of education and libraries. The proposal for a “campus library” in the centre of Helsinki.
      At the same time there are plans to close five local library branches - a proposal that has sparked protests.
      Pajunen did not want to give any detailed comment on the library closures, as discussions are still going on. However, he did say that in a changing world, it is necessary to consider new kinds of needs.
      “With the new, one must be capable of giving up the old.”


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Helsinki wins title of World Design Capital 2012 (26.11.2009)
  Rivals by design: Helsinki vs. Eindhoven (21.11.2009)
  City of Helsinki wants to become World Design Capital 2012 (25.8.2009)
  Aalto University praised by Silicon Valley innovation expert (7.4.2009)

Links:
  University of Art and Design Helsinki
  World Design Capital Project

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