What is a UNESCO creative city?
By Dr Maryam Pourzakarya | Published on 20 October 2026
Categories: Press office; Research; School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment; School of Social Sciences;
What you need to know:
UNESCO established the Creative Cities Network in 2004 to help cities use culture and creativity to support sustainable urban development.
Cities can join in one of eight creative fields, including design, literature, music, film and gastronomy.
The network encourages international collaboration, cultural participation and the integration of creativity into local development policies.
Creative Cities recognise culture as a living resource that strengthens local identity, community well-being and intangible cultural heritage.
Why were creative cities established?
As cities face increasing social, economic, and environmental challenges, culture and creativity are becoming important components of urban development strategies. Recognising this potential, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) established the Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in 2004 to encourage cities to integrate culture and creativity into local development policies. Rather than focusing solely on economic growth, the network promotes creativity as a resource for sustainable urban development across cultural, social, economic, and environmental dimensions.
How do cities become designated creative cities?
Cities can join the network in one of eight creative fields: Architecture, Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, and Music. Membership is based not only on cultural assets but also on a commitment to supporting cultural participation, strengthening collaboration, and embedding culture within broader urban development agendas. Through international cooperation, member cities exchange experiences, develop partnerships, and share approaches to common urban challenges.
What is the stratgey behind the initiative?
The idea behind a UNESCO Creative City reflects a broader shift in urban policy. Culture is no longer viewed simply as heritage to be preserved or entertainment to be consumed. Instead, it is increasingly recognised as a living resource that shapes local identity, community well-being, and residents’ everyday experiences of place. This perspective has encouraged cities to invest in cultural initiatives, creative industries, public spaces, and community-led activities as part of regeneration and development strategies.
What benefits does being a creative city bring?
The network has contributed to growing recognition of intangible cultural heritage, including traditions, knowledge, skills, and cultural practices passed between generations. In cities designated for Gastronomy, for example, local food cultures are valued not only for their economic potential but also for their role in expressing cultural identity and strengthening connections between people and place. In this sense, a UNESCO Creative City is not simply a label, but an attempt to place culture and creativity at the centre of urban futures.
Dr Maryam Pourzakarya is an hourly paid Lecturer at Nottingham Trent University in the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment. She is also a researcher within the Cities and Communities research group in the School of Social Sciences at NTU.