Graz named UNESCO Creative City of Design

Graz was named the first Austrian City of Design on 14 March 2011 by UNESCO's Director-General Ms Irina Bokova. The city joins an international network of 28 creative cities.

The application follows a joint initiative by the Styrian government’s holder of the Economy and Innovation portfolio, Dr Christian Buchmann, and Graz mayor Mag. Siegfried Nagl, who are both solid supporters of the creative economy. The Styrian government’s Business Department laid the foundation stone by setting up and funding Creative Industries Styria GmbH to draw up the application. For the City of Graz and Styria as a business location, design now features very high on the agenda. This nomination is an important step in the development of the region, with the objective of further boosting its international positioning and networking.