San Jose
圣何塞

Design-Driven Transformation of Manufacturing Industries
设计驱动的制造业转型

Abstract

As the cultural and economic center of Costa Rica, San José concentrates 76.8% of the nation's design industry, contributing 1.06% to the country's GDP. In recent years, the city has accelerated its transition from traditional industries to high-value-added sectors through interdisciplinary collaboration, the establishment of innovation centers, and the integration of design into industrial development. This transformation has positioned San José as a leading creative city in Central America.

By leveraging local universities, San José has cultivated a new generation of professionals who combine creativity with technical expertise. These talents drive the manufacturing industry toward intelligent, high-value-added production. The city's 28 innovation centers and mobile Fab Labs further facilitate the deep integration of design and manufacturing, providing experimental and incubation spaces for small businesses and startups. These initiatives enable companies to rapidly translate design concepts into market-ready products. Since 2008, the government has designated the design industry as a sector of national public interest and launched the Design Innovation Incentive Program, offering business design training to entrepreneurs. This policy has not only enhanced product quality but also improved the sustainability and global competitiveness of local manufacturing.

Beyond industrial transformation, San José's creative sector has made a significant social impact. The annual International Design Festival (FID) attracts global creative professionals, integrating San José's design industry into the international landscape and stimulating multiple creative sectors. Since 2012, the Mercado Tropical initiative has promoted innovative local products, strengthening the domestic consumer market. Moving forward, the government plans to implement the SJODiseña program, which aims to establish startup funding, incubate design enterprises, and enhance connectivity between national cultural platforms. A Social Design Center will also be launched to leverage design for cultural, economic, and environmental improvements, ensuring that design enhances both economic growth and urban livability.

San José is also strengthening international collaboration with creative cities worldwide. The city plans to co-host the first Design Week with Panama City, Medellín, and European creative cities to promote cross-disciplinary exchanges in design, technology, and life sciences. Additionally, a partnership with the Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design will establish an annual interaction design program, advancing research and education to cultivate future-oriented design talent. The government also aims to expand the Creative Industry Roundtable, inviting global experts to discuss the relationship between cities and creative industries. Through UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network, San José will host conferences on sustainable urban development, fostering international knowledge exchange and reinforcing its position as a global leader in design-driven innovation.

摘要

哥斯达黎加首都圣何塞是该国的文化与经济中心，集中了全国76.8% 的设计产业，对 GDP 贡献达1.06%。近年，圣何塞通过跨学科合作、创新中心建设、设计介入产业等方式，加速了传统工业向现代高附加值产业的转型，使其成为中美洲地区的重要创意设计之都。
圣何塞依托当地高校培养出一批既具创意又精通技术的专业人才，他们通过设计创新推动制造业向智能化、高附加值方向发展。与此同时，圣何塞的 28 个创新中心和流动 Fab Labs 进一步促进了设计与制造的深度融合，为小型制造企业和初创公司提供了实验和孵化空间，使他们能够快速将设计理念转化为可量产的创新产品。政府自 2008 年起将设计产业确立为国家公共利益行业，并启动了设计创新激励计划，旨在为企业家提供商业设计培训，鼓励传统制造业通过设计创新提高市场竞争力。这一举措不仅提升了产品质量，也使得本地制造业更具可持续性和国际竞争力。
圣何塞的创意产业不仅助力制造业升级，还对社会发展产生了深远影响。该市每年举办的国际设计节（FID），吸引全球创意人士汇聚一堂，推动圣何塞设计进入全球视野，推动多个创意行业的发展。此外，自 2012 年起，Mercado Tropical 活动推广最具创新性的本地产品，推动本地消费市场发展。未来，圣何塞政府将推进圣何塞设计计划（SJODiseña），旨在建立创业资金，孵化设计企业，并加强全国文化平台之间的互联互通。此外，还计划建立社会设计中心，利用设计推动社会文化、经济及环境的改善，确保设计不仅促进经济增长，也能提升城市整体宜居性。
面对全球气候变化，圣何塞的设计产业也在推动绿色制造和可持续发展。政府推出了一系列与环境相关的政策，例如减少温室气体排放、提高能源效率、推广可再生能源，并推动绿色建筑标准的实施。与此同时，企业也开始采用环保材料和可持续制造流程，进一步巩固圣何塞作为绿色设计中心的地位。
圣何塞还积极推进国际合作，与多个全球创意城市建立了紧密联系。例如，该市计划与巴拿马城、麦德林及欧洲创意城市联合举办首届设计周，以促进跨学科设计、技术与生命科学的交流。此外，政府还计划与哥本哈根交互设计学院合作，设立年度交互设计计划，深化设计研究与教育，培养面向未来的设计人才。同时，圣何塞计划扩大创意产业碰头会的规模，邀请全球专家探讨城市与创意产业的关系，并通过联合国教科文组织创意城市网络，举办有关可持续城市发展的研讨会，以加强国际间的知识共享。