Looking back and ahead to the Future (Design Politics Assembly)

On 14 November 2026, the historic Paulskirche in Frankfurt will become a meeting place for politics, public administration, academia, design, culture and civil society. The Design Assembly marks a significant moment in the journey of World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026 (WDC 2026): an opportunity to reflect on a year of ideas, collaborations and shared experiences, while looking ahead to the lasting impact design can have on the region.

At the heart of the gathering are the recommendations for the Design Action Plan Frankfurt RheinMain. The plan aims to translate the insights and experiences of WDC 2026 into concrete action, providing a framework for long-term structures and sustainable change across the region. Together, participants will explore how design can strengthen democratic processes, shape public spaces and contribute to a more inclusive and liveable future.

At 3:30 pm, the official welcome will be given by Dr. Ina Hartwig, Frankfurt’s City Councillor and Head of the Department of Culture and Science, alongside Carolina Romahn and Prof. Matthias Wagner K.

The first programme session, A Year at the Table, brings together the five project initiators Eleonora L. Herder, Maria Pozder, Petra Eisele, Anne Bartens and Prof. Roland Lambrette. In conversation with Barbara Lersch and Prof. Birgit Mager, they will reflect on the projects, encounters and developments that have shaped the WDC year.

The focus then shifts to the policy dimension of design. In Voices from the Policy Days, Prof. Dr. Felix Kosok and Dr. Anke Gründel will share their perspectives in a discussion with Svenja Bickert-Appleby, Rebecca C. Schmidt and Prof. Dr. Tom Bieling (BIRD / HfG Offenbach). The session will highlight the ideas and experiences emerging from the Design Policy Days and explore how design can become an integral part of political and administrative decision-making.

The evening programme turns towards the question of what remains after a year of intensive collaboration – and how its achievements can be carried forward. The second part begins with welcoming addresses by Kaweh Mansoori, Hessian State Minister, Mike Josef, Lord Mayor of Frankfurt, and Dr. Susanne Völker, Managing Director of Kulturfonds Frankfurt RheinMain.

The legacy of World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026 will then take centre stage. Carolina Romahn will be joined by three representatives of civil society: Nicola Stattmann, Dominik Hofmann and Susanne Stöck. Together, they will reflect on the importance of the WDC legacy and the role that citizens and communities play in shaping lasting change.

A further highlight will be a digital keynote by transformation researcher Prof. Dr. Maja Göpel, offering perspectives on the challenges and opportunities ahead in 2027.

The conversation will continue with a roundtable bringing together key political and regional representatives. Hessian State Minister Kaweh Mansoori, Frankfurt’s Lord Mayor Mike Josef, Dr. Ina Hartwig, Mayor of Offenbach Andreas Bruszynski and Carolina Romahn will discuss the future of the region and the next steps towards turning the ambitions of the Design Action Plan into reality.

One of the most symbolic moments of the evening will be the Convocation Ceremony, marking the official handover of the World Design Capital title to Busan, South Korea, which will host WDC 2028. The ceremony will feature addresses by Chun Jae-soo, Mayor of Busan, Eunjeong Kim, Consul of the Republic of Korea, and Pradyumna Vyas, President of the World Design Organization (WDO). The handover connects Frankfurt RheinMain’s experiences and achievements with the next chapter of the international World Design Capital network.

The day will conclude with an informal gathering in the Wandelhalle of the Paulskirche, offering one final opportunity to connect, exchange ideas and celebrate the people and projects that have shaped WDC 2026.

As the World Design Capital title moves on to Busan, the Design Assembly provides an opportunity to celebrate what has been achieved in Frankfurt RheinMain while setting the foundations for what comes next…

14 November 2026, from 2:30 pm
Paulskirche, Frankfurt am Main

Further information: https://wdc2026.org/de/events/design-assembly