UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), Objective, Indian Cities List

Context: Lucknow has submitted its nominations for inclusion as “City of Gastronomy” in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).

What is a UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)?

A UNESCO Creative City is a designation awarded to cities worldwide that demonstrate a commitment to leveraging creativity and culture for sustainable urban development. Recognized across various creative fields such as Crafts and Folk Arts, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, and Music, these cities actively promote innovation, cultural diversity, and the social and economic potential of their local cultural industries. The designation is granted by UNESCO, and the cities collaborate within the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) to share best practices and enhance their creative initiatives.

UNESCO Creative Cities Network: Background

Launched in 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) fosters collaboration among cities recognizing creativity as vital for sustainable urban development, focusing on seven fields: Craft and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature. With nearly 300 cities from 90 countries, it promotes UNESCO’s goals of cultural diversity, unlocking the economic potential of local cultural industries. U.S. cities like Austin, Detroit, and Iowa City, alongside Indian cities Chennai, Varanasi, Gwalior, and Kozhikode, are part of this global initiative. The UCCN has seven creative fields:

• Crafts and folk art,
• Design,
• Film,
• Gastronomy,
• Literature,
• Media arts,
• Music.

The UCCN’s mission is to make urban environments safe, resilient, inclusive, sustainable, and future-proof.

Check here: UNESCO World Heritage Sites of India

Indian Cities in UNESCO Creative Cities Network List

Check here Name of Indian Cities in UNESCO Creative Cities Network List:

UNESCO Creative Cities Network 2023 List

In celebration of World Cities Day, 55 cities have recently become part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) under the direction of UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. These newly recognized cities have demonstrated steadfast dedication to integrating culture and creativity into their development strategies, showcasing innovative approaches to human-centred urban planning.

With this expansion, the UCCN has grown to include 350 cities across over a hundred countries, encompassing seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, and Music. The new members of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network are:

Kozhikode and Gwalior Joined UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2023

Kozhikode, the inaugural ‘City of Literature’ in India according to UNESCO, is renowned for hosting prominent literary events, including the Kerala Literature Festival—one of Asia’s largest. With a rich history of intellectual exchange, the city boasts over 500 libraries. Home to esteemed writers like S. K. Pottekkatt, Thikkodiyan, and P. Valsala Sanjayan, Kozhikode is a cultural hub fostering Malayalam literature and vibrant discussions.

Gwalior, UNESCO’s ‘City of Music’ and India’s second after Varanasi in 2015, holds significance as Tansen’s birthplace. Tansen, a musical luminary in Emperor Akbar’s court, hails from the city associated with the influential Gwalior Gharana in Hindustani classical music. Gwalior hosts the Tansen Sangeet Samaroh, a major annual music festival drawing enthusiasts and artists nationwide and beyond.

UNESCO Creative Cities Network UPSC

UNESCO has added 55 cities to its Creative Cities Network, recognizing its commitment to integrating culture and creativity for sustainable urban development. Gwalior in ‘Music’ and Kozhikode in ‘Literature’ are India’s new inclusions. The designation celebrates Kozhikode as India’s inaugural ‘City of Literature’ due to its literary events and over 500 libraries. Gwalior, designated UNESCO’s ‘City of Music,’ is renowned for its musical heritage, hosting the Tansen Sangeet Samaroh. The UNESCO Creative Cities Network, launched in 2004, now includes 350 cities, spanning seven creative fields. This initiative promotes cultural diversity, innovation, and the economic potential of local cultural industries.

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