Creative Cities Network
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) is a designation programme launched by UNESCO in 2004 to recognize cities that integrate creativity and cultural industries as core drivers of sustainable urban development.[1] It connects over 350 member cities across more than 100 countries, fostering international cooperation to advance cultural diversity, economic vitality, and innovative policies aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 11 for resilient and inclusive communities.[1] The network designates cities in seven specific creative fields—crafts and folk arts, media arts, film, design, gastronomy, literature, and music—based on demonstrated commitments to nurturing these sectors through local strategies, events, and collaborations.[2] Key activities include knowledge exchange platforms, annual conferences, and joint projects that enable cities to share best practices in leveraging culture for urban resilience, such as responses to global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] While evaluations highlight its role in promoting artistic mobility and policy innovation, academic analyses note tensions between aspirational creative city narratives and local implementation realities, including governance challenges in balancing economic goals with social equity.[3][4]History
Establishment and Early Development
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network was established in 2004 as a flagship program of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to promote cooperation among cities that identify creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable economic, social, and cultural development.[1] The initiative emerged from UNESCO's efforts to harness cultural industries and creative economies for urban advancement, building on the organization's mandate to foster cultural diversity following the adoption of the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity in 2001.[1] Launched under Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura, who served from 1999 to 2007, the network aimed to connect municipalities worldwide through shared knowledge and best practices in creative fields.[5] The inaugural designation occurred in 2004 with Edinburgh, Scotland, recognized as the world's first UNESCO City of Literature, marking the network's initial focus on literary heritage and innovation.[6] This pioneering status for Edinburgh underscored the program's emphasis on cities with proven commitments to nurturing creative sectors, such as publishing, libraries, and literary festivals.[7] Early development proceeded through periodic evaluations and expansions, with subsequent designations including Montreal, Canada, as a City of Design in 2006, reflecting a broadening scope to encompass fields like crafts, film, and media arts. By integrating these cities, the network facilitated initial collaborative projects, though membership remained limited in its formative years, growing incrementally as application processes were refined.[8]Expansion and Milestones
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network commenced operations following its establishment in 2004, with the initial batch of designations awarded in 2005 to cities exemplifying excellence in creative fields, such as Santa Fe, United States, for crafts and folk art, and Popayán, Colombia, for gastronomy—the latter marking the introduction of that field to the program.[9][10] These early additions laid the foundation for international cooperation, focusing on leveraging cultural industries for urban planning and economic growth. Subsequent expansions occurred through biennial or triennial application cycles, allowing periodic influxes of new members committed to the network's goals. A notable acceleration happened in October 2019, when 66 cities were designated, elevating the total to 246 across over 80 countries and underscoring the program's broadening geographic and thematic scope.[11] Further growth materialized in November 2021 with the addition of 49 cities, including Abu Dhabi for music and Belfast for music, resulting in 295 members spanning 90 countries and emphasizing collaborative projects in areas like film, design, and literature.[12] The network reached a pinnacle in 2024, as 55 new cities—such as those in crafts, media arts, and gastronomy—were integrated on World Cities Day (October 31), expanding membership to 350 cities in more than 100 countries and reinforcing commitments to sustainable development goal 11 on inclusive urban environments.[13] This milestone highlights the program's evolution from a nascent initiative to a global platform fostering cross-city exchanges amid challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, where members shared resilience strategies in cultural sectors.[14]Objectives and Structure
Core Goals and Sustainable Development Links
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network seeks to foster international cooperation among cities that identify creativity as a strategic driver of urban development, enabling the exchange of best practices and partnership opportunities to enhance socio-economic progress.[15] Launched in 2004, the Network emphasizes integrating cultural industries into local planning to promote the creation, production, and dissemination of cultural goods and services, while broadening access to cultural participation, particularly for marginalized populations.[15] Cities commit to developing hubs of innovation that support cultural professionals and leverage public-private partnerships to embed creativity in urban initiatives, aiming to position culture at the core of sustainable local development strategies.[15] A primary objective is to strengthen the role of creative fields—such as crafts, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts, music, and architecture—in addressing urban challenges, including economic diversification and social inclusion, through networked platforms for knowledge sharing.[1] This approach underscores creativity's potential to drive innovation across economic, social, cultural, and environmental dimensions, with member cities required to align their policies toward these ends.[15] The Network explicitly aligns with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, supporting the localization of its goals by promoting culture and creativity as levers for resilient urban growth.[15] It particularly advances Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11), which targets making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, by encouraging policies that harness cultural industries to foster liveable environments and mitigate issues like urban poverty and environmental degradation.[1] As of 2023, with over 350 member cities worldwide, the initiative claims to contribute to broader SDG implementation, though empirical assessments of its impact on indicators such as employment in creative sectors (estimated at 13% in major global cities) remain tied to self-reported city plans rather than independent longitudinal data.[1]The Seven Creative Fields
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network organizes its member cities into seven distinct creative fields, each focusing on a specific domain of cultural and economic activity where creativity serves as a driver for sustainable urban development. Cities are designated in one primary field based on demonstrated excellence, innovation, and integration of that sector into local policies, with the aim of fostering international cooperation and knowledge exchange among members. As of 2023, over 350 cities worldwide participate across these fields, contributing to UNESCO's broader goals of cultural diversity and inclusive growth.[1] Crafts and Folk Art emphasizes the safeguarding and evolution of traditional artisanal techniques, materials, and cultural expressions rooted in local heritage. Designated cities exhibit strong commitments to handmade production, skill transmission through apprenticeships, and the economic viability of crafts, often linking them to tourism and community identity preservation. Examples include efforts to revive endangered techniques while adapting them for contemporary markets.[1] Design highlights the application of innovative, user-centered design principles to address urban challenges, from product development to public spaces and systems. Cities in this field integrate design thinking into governance, education, and industry, promoting functional aesthetics that enhance livability and competitiveness; this includes industrial design, graphic design, and urban planning initiatives that prioritize sustainability.[1] Film centers on the production, distribution, and exhibition of cinematic works as vehicles for storytelling, cultural diplomacy, and economic stimulus. Member cities support robust film industries through festivals, training programs, and infrastructure, leveraging cinema to amplify diverse narratives and attract global investment, with a focus on both independent and commercial outputs.[1] Gastronomy focuses on culinary traditions, food systems, and innovative practices that connect agriculture, heritage, and health. Designated cities advance sustainable food policies, local sourcing, and gastronomic education, often through markets, chef collaborations, and events that promote biodiversity and cultural exchange while addressing food security.[1] Literature involves the promotion of writing, publishing, and reading as pillars of intellectual and social cohesion. Cities excel in literary festivals, libraries, author residencies, and translation efforts, fostering multilingualism and access to books to nurture cultural identity and educational equity across demographics.[1] Media Arts encompasses digital media, interactive installations, and emerging technologies like animation and virtual reality for creative expression. This field supports experimentation in multimedia production, artist-technologist partnerships, and public engagement with digital culture, aiming to bridge art, science, and community innovation.[1] Music supports the creation, performance, and dissemination of musical works across genres, from classical to contemporary and indigenous traditions. Cities designated here invest in venues, conservatories, recording industries, and festivals to preserve repertoires, train musicians, and stimulate economic sectors like live events and exports.[1]Designation Process
Eligibility Criteria
Cities from UNESCO Member States and Associate Members are eligible to apply for designation in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).[16] For the 2025 call for applications, a maximum of two applications per country is allowed, with each submission targeting a distinct creative field from the seven recognized categories: crafts and folk art, media arts, film, design, gastronomy, literature, or music.[17] There are no restrictions based on city population size, though applications from under-represented regions such as Africa and the Arab States are particularly encouraged to promote geographic balance in the network.[17] Eligible cities must demonstrate a clear willingness, commitment, and capacity to advance the UCCN's mission of fostering creativity as a driver for sustainable urban development, in alignment with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.[18] This includes showcasing the city's cultural and creative assets, potential in the chosen field, and a realistic four-year action plan outlining specific projects, policies, or initiatives that contribute to inter-city cooperation and knowledge exchange.[18] Cities that have submitted unsuccessful applications in two consecutive standardized calls are ineligible to reapply for four years, ensuring rotation and opportunities for new candidates.[17] Applications are limited to one creative field per city to maintain focus and specialization within the network.[17]Application and Evaluation Procedures
Cities apply to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network through periodic calls for applications issued by the Director-General of UNESCO, typically every few years to expand membership while prioritizing underrepresented regions such as Africa and the Arab States.[17] Eligible applicants are cities within UNESCO Member States or Associate Members, with a limit of two applications per country across different creative fields; cities unsuccessful in two consecutive calls must wait four years before reapplying.[17] Applications must demonstrate the city's cultural and creative assets, potential contributions to the Network's objectives, and a feasible four-year action plan featuring specific, innovative projects aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.[18] [19] The submission process requires pre-registration on UNESCO's online platform, followed by completion of a structured form covering city profile, selected creative field (one of seven: crafts and folk art, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts, or music), asset inventory, action plan details, and commitments such as quadrennial reporting and participation in Network activities.[19] [17] Mandatory supporting documents include a letter from the mayor endorsing the application, a mayor's declaration of commitment, a letter from the national UNESCO commission, endorsements from two professional associations in the creative field, and three high-resolution photos with usage rights forms; all materials must be in English or French and uploaded by the deadline, such as 31 January 2025 for the most recent call.[17] The preparation emphasizes stakeholder involvement from public, private, and civil society sectors in the chosen field to ensure a participatory approach.[18] Evaluation begins with technical pre-screening for completeness, followed by parallel assessments by independent experts and current Network member cities, focusing on criteria such as the application's motivation, coherence of assets relative to other cities, alignment with Network goals (including culture as a public good and sustainable development), and the action plan's realism, sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation without emphasis on budget scale.[17] [19] The process incorporates consultations with external stakeholders, NGOs, and institutions to verify claims.[20] Final recommendations are compiled for the Director-General, who holds authority to designate cities based on the overall quality, relevance, and feasibility of proposed strategies, with announcements typically following evaluation completion, as in the expected 31 October 2025 release for the 2025 cycle.[16] [20] Designated cities gain full membership, subject to periodic reviews and adherence to commitments.[18]Membership
Overview of Member Cities
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network currently comprises 350 member cities across more than 100 countries, each designated for leveraging creativity and cultural industries as drivers of sustainable development.[13] Launched in 2004, the Network has expanded progressively, with 55 cities added in June 2024 to reach this total, reflecting UNESCO's emphasis on international cooperation among urban areas committed to cultural innovation.[13] These members span diverse economic and social contexts, from large metropolises to smaller cultural hubs, and are required to integrate creative strategies into local policies for economic resilience, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability. Designations fall into seven specific fields: crafts and folk art, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts, and music, ensuring specialized networks within the broader framework.[13] Cities must demonstrate tangible commitments, such as policy frameworks supporting creative economies and measurable contributions to UNESCO's priorities, including the Sustainable Development Goals.[1] Membership facilitates biennial action plans, inter-city partnerships, and participation in global events, though evaluations have noted varying implementation effectiveness across members due to differences in resources and governance.[3] As of October 2025, the Network's composition remains at 350 pending the announcement of new designations on October 31, following the closure of applications for the 2025 term.[16] This structure promotes equitable global representation, with members from every continent engaging in exchanges that have led to over 100 collaborative projects since inception, though independent assessments highlight challenges in quantifying long-term urban impacts.[3]Distribution by Field and Region
As of October 2023, the network comprises 350 cities designated across eight creative fields, reflecting varied emphases on cultural sectors. Literature leads with 53 cities, including established members like Iowa City (United States, designated 2008) and newer additions such as Kozhikode (India, 2023). Design follows with 49 cities, exemplified by Shenzhen (China, 2008) and recent entrants like Chongqing (China, 2023). Gastronomy also counts 49 cities, such as Popayán (Colombia, 2005) and Tucson (United States, 2015). Music includes over 50 cities as of 2021, with ongoing growth, featuring hubs like Adelaide (Australia, 2017) and Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2023). Media Arts has 25 cities spanning five continents, including Austin (United States, 2015) and Guadalajara (Mexico, 2017). Crafts and Folk Art had 49 cities as of 2021, including Kanazawa (Japan, 2009) and Santa Fe (United States, 2005). Film and the newer Architecture field (introduced post-2021) account for the remainder, with Film encompassing around 30 cities like Bradford (United Kingdom, 2009) and Potsdam (Germany, 2017).[13][21][22][10][23][24][25]| Creative Field | Approximate Number of Cities (Latest Available) |
|---|---|
| Literature | 53[21] |
| Design | 49[22] |
| Gastronomy | 49[10] |
| Music | >50 (as of 2021)[23] |
| Crafts and Folk Art | 49 (as of 2021)[25] |
| Media Arts | 25[24] |
| Film | ~30[26] |
| Architecture | <10 (new field)[1] |