Kerala to develop design policy to promote sustainable infrastructure

Speaking at the Kochi Design Week, the Chief Minister also announced that the government will launch the Kerala Design Festival from next year.
Kerala to develop design policy to promote sustainable infrastructure
Kerala to develop design policy to promote sustainable infrastructure
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Kerala will develop a Design Policy that will promote sustainable infrastructure development in the state, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at Kochi Design Week (KDW) on Saturday.

The Chief Minister also announced that the government will launch the Kerala Design Festival from next year. “It will be launched with the collaboration of the Tourism department to woo international designers to the state. It will incorporate sustainable development projects including housing and smart city projects using new technologies and designs. There will also be the involvement of the Kerala Startup Mission to promote entrepreneurship and skills,” the Chief Minister said.

He also said that the Kerala Design Festival will be the longest such fest in the world.

“Design Week has been able to change the state’s design mindset in line with the government policy of ‘build back bright’. Kerala talents have headed many multinational companies in design-related fields. It is by taking this into consideration that the government has decided to set up a centre of excellence in design in the state,” he said.

Meanwhile, experts who participated in the Kochi Design Week also stated that Kerala requires a Department of Design for the state to emerge as a creative hub of the world.

Such a setup can enable the government to focus on the state’s strengths in the field of design and resolve pertinent deficiencies, they said in a panel discussion at the KDW, which concluded on Saturday.

Experts were addressing a session on ‘Kerala as Creative Hub of the World’ on the second day of the KDW, held from December 12-14, organised chiefly by the government to chart a long-term development mission for the state through futuristic design and architecture.

Moderating the discussions, former director of the National Institute of Design Pradyumna Vyas said Kerala’s strengths in the area of IT and digital competencies, tourism, heritage and culture make it a strong contender for being the creative hub of the world.

“The government, policymakers and bureaucrats are promoting creative activity in a big way, as can be seen from the way the second edition of the KDW has grown over the last year,” he noted.

Kochi Biennale Foundation President Bose Krishnamachari highlighted the varied strengths of Kerala in the field of culture ranging from the state’s folk arts to native costumes.

Making a special mention of the summer-time temple festival of Thrissur Pooram as a grand amalgamation of colour, sound and music, he also spoke of the grandeur of the annual International Film Festival of Kerala in the state capital of Thiruvananthapuram.

(With inputs from PTI)

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