UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network Two Decades of Success.

UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network (UCCN) has played a key role in sustainable urban development by harnessing the power of creativity and innovation in more than 350 cities worldwide. The network helps cities promote their unique culture and heritage, support local artists and entrepreneurs, and build a more equitable and sustainable future.

UCCN encourages cities to implement their own creative initiatives that contribute to sustainable urban development. These initiatives include:

International cooperation through creativity:
UCCN provides a platform for cities to share their creative initiatives and experiences, thereby increasing knowledge exchange and international cooperation. This network encourages cities to collaborate in a range of areas, including:

Arts and Culture Cities promote their creative artists by participating in art exhibitions, festivals and workshops. Local economies, cities help develop local economies by supporting creative industries and enterprises. Sustainable development, cities collaborate to develop creative solutions for sustainable urban planning and design. Creativity-led initiative.

• The network includes more than 350 cities in 7 creative sectors:
• Art and Folk Art: Fez (Senegal), Popayan (Colombia), Santa Fe (New Mexico, USA)
• Design: Bilbao (Spain), Kobe (Japan), Eastern Cape (South Africa)
• Films: Busan (South Korea), Lyon (France), Marrakesh (Morocco)
• Food: Beijing (China), Lima (Peru), Paris (France)
• Literature: Edinburgh (Scotland), Yokohama (Japan), Dublin (Ireland)
• Media Arts: Melbourne (Australia), Sao Paulo (Brazil), Tallinn (Estonia)
• Music: Bologna (Italy), Glasgow (Scotland), Salvador (Brazil)
• Some specific examples of network success include:

International collaboration: In 2019, Fez (Senegal), Popayan (Colombia) and Santa Fe (New Mexico, USA) – three UCCN cities specializing in arts and crafts – launched the ‘African Textile Route’ project. The project provided a platform for the exchange of traditional textile production techniques and knowledge, creating new economic opportunities in the participating cities.

Stimulating creativity-led ventures: Bilbao (Spain), a UCCN City of Design, has launched a program called ‘Bilbao Beginning’ to help young creative talents start their businesses. The program provides mentoring, training and financial support, which has contributed to the significant growth of the city’s creative economy.

Some of the notable milestones of the network’s 20 years of success:
2004: UCCN established. 2010: The network grows to 100 cities. 2015: UCCN is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. 2020: The network grows to 300 cities. 2024: UCCN completes its 20 years.

Creating cultural districts and spaces: Cities create spaces for their creative artists to work and exhibit. Providing funding and grants to support creative arts and enterprises, cities provide financial support to local artists and entrepreneurs to help them realize their ideas. Conduct creative education and training programs Cities offer creative education and training programs in schools and community centres.

Sustainable development through creativity:
UCCN helps cities identify their own unique creative assets and strengths and develop strategic plans to use them to achieve sustainable development goals. The network provides a platform for cities to share their experiences, exchange best practices and implement collaborative projects.

UCCN’s many notable achievements include:
Creative Cities of Gastronomy, these cities promote their local food culture and heritage, which boosts tourism and empowers local farmers and entrepreneurs. Creative Cities of Music These cities support and promote the music industry, which creates new talent, creates employment opportunities and encourages social cohesion. Creative Cities of Design, these cities encourage innovative design and architecture, making them more lovable and sustainable.

The network is expected to continue to grow and develop further in the future. UCCN provides cities with a powerful tool for sustainable urban development and helps make the world a better place through creativity and culture.