Arctic Design Capital

ROVANIEMI IS THE WORLD’S ARCTIC DESIGN CAPITAL®

The City of Rovaniemi has registered the trademark Arctic Design Capital® in the European Union, as well as in China, Japan, South Korea, and the Russian Federation.

Rovaniemi is the capital of Arctic design and has been recognised as one of the design centres of Finland’s National Design Programme. Arctic design is part of Finland’s Strategy for Arctic Policy.

Rovaniemi is an inspiring town, and despite the Arctic conditions, smart design makes Rovaniemi a functional and vibrant town all year round. The City of Rovaniemi has accumulated significant experience in urban planning, spatial planning and architecture, snow management, winter technology and transport, and urban culture in Arctic conditions.

The City of Rovaniemi, local enterprises, the Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland and the Faculty of Art and Design are experts in the field. They are committed to development work using Arctic design.

Companies utilise Arctic conditions and design, as well as events such as Arctic Lapland Rally, Arctic Design Week, Rovaniemi Arctic Spirit, and Arctic Business Forum.

Rovaniemi is an active member of national and international cooperative networks that focus on the Arctic

The City Rovaniemi has been a member of the World Winter Cities Association for Mayors network since 2014. Today, the WWCAM sees participation by 21 cities from 10 different nations.

The City of Rovaniemi is also a Member of the Arctic Mayors’ Forum, established in 2019. The members (14) of the network and observer members (2) represent all Arctic nations.

Our city is also an active member of the World Design Weeks network, which includes all major design weeks globally. The role of the City of Rovaniemi is to particularly lead the development of responsible Arctic design.

The world’s northernmost design week, Arctic Design Week is organised in Rovaniemi annually during the third week of March (week no. 12).

Arctic Design Week brings together design experts and enterprises, townspeople, and tourists and includes participants from numerous different nations.

The Arctic Design Week programme includes city festival programmes, exhibitions, seminars, discussions, design boutiques, fashion shows, and a number of other fascinating events.