1. Definition of Creative City
In the 21st century, the economic system based on knowledge and information is being built. In the midst of this, the appearance of a city is expected to change into a new form, not the industrial-centered city. If the global city such as New York used to be the model of the city, the compact city with its own character, cultural identity and international network is now emerging as a new model. One such alternative is the creative city. In short, a creative city is a city where creative people put their heads together, come up with creative ideas, and voluntarily try to solve local problems. However, the creative ideas are not found in the generalized solutions such as urban development theory and central government policies, but in the city's history and cultural assets, as well as past memories and experiences. Therefore, a creative city is defined as “a city that seeks sustainable development based on its cultural assets and creativity.”
2. The Necessity of Creative Cities
In general, creative cities have been a way of solving the challenges faced by industrial cities. For example, Malmö in Sweden, which was a shipbuilding city, and Bilbao in Spain, known for its steel industry, are such cases. When their major industries were on the brink of collapse and their economies were in trouble, they tried to solve the problems by becoming creative cities, using their cultural assets and creativity.
1. What Is UNESCO Creative Cities Network?
It was in 2004 that UNESCO, the UN’s specialized agency for education and culture, began discussing the creation of an international network of creative cities. At the time, UNESCO was concerned about cultural homogenization in the face of globalization and advocated for the preservation of the cultural diversity of cities and regions.
Therefore, the UNESCO Creative City Network (UCCN) was created to help cities develop a variety of cultural industries and promote international cultural exchange at the city level.
The Network covers seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Art, Literature, Film, Music, Design, Media Arts, and Gastronomy. Candidate cities can choose one of these fields according to their cultural characteristics, environment, and preferences. By 2022, the Network included 295 cities from 93 countries.
In Korea, Seoul (Design, 2010), Icheon (Crafts and Folk Arts, 2010), Jeonju (Gourmet, 2012), Busan (Film, 2014), Gwangju (Media Art, 2014), Tongyeong (Music, 2015), Daegu (Music), 2017), Bucheon (Literature, 2017), and Gimhae (Crafts and Folk Arts, 2021) have joined and are active. Jinju City was officially designated as UNESCO Crafts and Folk Art Creative City on October 30, 2019 (local time).
2. Objectives of UNESCO Creative Cities Network
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network aims to:
• strengthen international cooperation between cities that have recognized creativity as a strategic factor of their sustainable development;
• stimulate and enhance initiatives led by member cities to make creativity an essential component of urban development, notably through partnerships involving the public and private sectors and civil society;
• strengthen the creation, production, distribution and dissemination of cultural activities, goods and services;
• develop hubs of creativity and innovation and broaden opportunities for creators and professionals in the cultural sector;
• improve access to and participation in cultural life as well as the enjoyment of cultural goods and services, notably for marginalized or vulnerable groups and individuals;
• fully integrate culture and creativity into local development strategies and plans.
3. UNESCO Creative City Logo