Creative City (Economy/Cluster) Network in Southeast Asia with linkages to clusters, and cities
and organizations in Europe, US, or Rest of Asia
Globally, more and more cities are focusing on leveraging creativity and develop their creative industries as
a means to generate growth, diversity, income and employment in cities. This is also closely linked to the
understanding of cities’ role as hubs for ideas, innovations, and new services within their local environment.
The creative industries are sometimes defined as sectors with a high cultural creativity input (dance, music,
crafts, etc.), though software, new media, digital content, and functional design are typically included in
many definitions. Indeed, UNCTAD suggests that creativity can be cultural, scientific, economic and
technology creativity. Creativity is also closely linked to innovation, without innovation companies often
lack competition, good innovations is often impossible without creativity. This broader definition of
creativity is important when it comes to economic development
Some define the creative economy as being the aggregate of these so-called creative and cultural industries
- others use a broader and recommended approach where creativity can be leveraged in a range of sectors
and the term creative ecology has emerged. Cities add a spatial dimension to it and place a greater emphasis
on using art, culture and creativity for urban development. The city itself can also enable creativity by being
open to new ideas, supporting networks and communities, holding or supporting events, and develop or
provide creative spaces and institutions that support creativity, education, innovation and culture. Creativity
and community involvement is also important for sustainable urban development. Finally, there is a strong
link between creativity, innovation and culture. Many cities in the SE Asia region have a strong cultural
heritage that can be leveraged or build on.
Various networks exist or have existed (notably the Creative City Network run by UNESCO, the Districts
of Creativity Network, and the now no longer active Creative City network by the British Council).The
objectives of these networks vary, though they typically focus on idea exchange and coordinated activities.
The British Council’s efforts in Asia focused originally on the importance of creative spaces for creative
industries and cities (and mapping), its focus is now more on creativity in education, crafts/creative tourism
and entrepreneurship. The Cities of Design in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network sometime meet and
hold events for all members of the network in this category. There is currently no active network of cities
and clusters in the ASEAN region and no ASEAN city is a member of the UNESCO Network.
Hence, there is a need and opportunity to create a network and platform for knowledge exchange, events,
and joint projects amongst creative clusters and cities in the ASEAN region. Creative clusters could have a
focus on crafts, functional design, entrepreneurship, contemporary art, software/IT or digital content,
creative tourism, and/or community and creative space development. Urban development agencies and
groups involved in creative and cultural activities, policies and space development should also be included.
Such a network could focus on
-
Knowledge sharing – regional knowledge platform
Joint activities, competitions, events, symposiums
Mutual capacity development
Joint bids for funding
The first step is a regional conference in early April 2014 with speakers and participants from other
Southeast Asian as well as speakers outside the region (probably focusing on those that reside in the region).
The theme would be loosely on creativity and cities across Southeast Asia (including entrepreneurship,
urban development, creative economy, culture, and innovation). Confirmations from Cebu, Bandung,
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and Penang have already been received.
Participant of the SEA Creative Cities Conference will also have the opportunity to (partially) join another
creative economy seminar with the British Council. This will take place on the 4th of April (in an adjacent
room) with a focus on creative tourism, design trends, and story-telling for craft product makers. The
conference on 3 April will be semi-open. On 4 April, we will organize a by “invitation only” workshop to
plan next steps and future cooperation. In addition, we will organize meetings with local government
representatives, visits, dinner and an optional cultural program on Saturday.