Design in the City 2026 Concludes: A Citywide Design Journey in Review

As a key public programme of Design Shanghai, Design in the City 2026 took place across Shanghai from 5 to 22 March, shaping an ever-evolving urban design landscape that extended beyond traditional exhibition settings. Closely aligned with the main fair, the programme activated four key districts, connecting over 100 curated creative destinations and presenting more than 30 diverse design events, bringing design into the fabric of everyday life.

Throughout the multi-week programme, design was seamlessly embedded into the city through exhibitions, curated initiatives and immersive experiences. From street corners to a wide range of venues, visitors engaged with design through movement and participation, discovering its close relationship with daily life. In parallel, more than 10 City Events and over 20 Studio Open Days took place, fostering dialogue through talks, knowledge exchange and real-world practice, and enabling design ideas to be explored within authentic contexts.

The release of the City Design Guide further connected design locations across the city, offering visitors a structured yet open-ended way to navigate this urban journey. While Design in the City 2026 has successfully concluded, its narrative continues to unfold. The programme will return from 22 February to 7 March 2027, with applications now open, inviting participants to join the next chapter of this citywide creative exploration.

Design in the City 2026 Official Retrospective Video