Lights And Letters Highlight Rich Design History

IN 2017 Geelong was named Australia’s first United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) City of Design, and now that title is up in lights. Villawood Properties erected the letters to highlight the global recognition of Geelong’s rich design history.

Villawood properties director Rory Costelloe said that being recognised by UNESCO was crucial to Geelong’s identity.
“Geelong has really matured in a creative sense and is really blossoming,” he said. “UNESCO’s City of Design recognition is a very significant aid in enhancing Geelong’s reputation at state, national and international level.” The UNESCO Creative Cities Network aims to make creativity essential in sustainable urban renewal and development. It looks to do this through former inter-city partnerships at both a domestic and international level, and by placing creativity and cultural at the core of development plans.

There are currently 180 UNESCO Creative Cities. Geelong’s design history dates back to 1851 when it was home to the first designed commercial refrigerator. In 1934 Lew Bandt also designed and built the first Ford ute in Geelong. More recent designs include the Library Heritage Centre, GMHBA Stadium, and the Geelong Performing Arts Centre. Geelong is one of 32 UNESCO Cities of Design. Other cities include Beijing, Berlin, Istanbul and Seoul.

Article originally appeared in the Armstrong Creek Times, Victoria.