BKKDW2024 Attracts Over 900 Proposals to Create a 'Better City'

For the first time ever, Bangkok Design Week has received an unprecedented 915 proposals encompassing communities, venues, projects and individual works. A rigorous selection process has since narrowed these proposals down to just over 400 programs deemed most suitable for the capital.

Given the record number of proposals this year, a special committee was convened to meticulously review each submission. The meeting, held on October 9th, involved key stakeholders such as representatives of the Creative Economy Agency and creative industry, officials from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, and members of the press. Additionally, representatives from 10 different neighborhoods participated to provide input and help assess the viability of each proposal. Their collaboration led to the selection of the final 50 programs, which would then have the opportunity to be presented in a one-on-one ‘Presentation Day’ format to potentially secure festival funding and expert consultation.

‘Presentation Day,’ which took place on October 17th-18th, not only provided an opportunity for creators to present their proposals, but also served as a platform for receiving invaluable feedback to further refine their projects. Guidance from the committee was also provided for areas such as overview, implementation, and novel concepts that could in turn make each project more compelling and achievable.

The atmosphere throughout the selection process was passionate and lively, with creators determined to present their ideas for improving Bangkok to committee members eager to hear their proposals. Participants endeavored to explore every possibility and push every project to meet the needs of the city in line with the core theme of this year’s festival — ‘Livable Scape: The More We Do, The Better Our City.’