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Creative City

What is the UNESCO Creative Cities Network?

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) launched in 2004 is a project that aims to promote cultural industries based on creativity and cultural assets cities have and achieve sustainable economic, social and cultural development of cities by strengthening cooperation with and among cities. The UNESCO Creative Cities Network covers seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, and Music.

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)

Member Cities 106 cities in 350 nations
Member Cities in Korea 12 cities

Member Cities in Korea (12 cities)

Member Cities in Korea : Crafts and Folk Arts, Literature, Music, Design, Media Arts, Gastronomy, Film (As of November, 2021)
Crafts and Folk Arts Literature Music Design Media Arts Gastronomy Film
Icheon (2010)
Jinju (2019)
Gimhae(2021)
Bucheon (2017)
Wonju (2019)
Tongyeong (2015)
Daegu (2017)
Gangneung(2023)
Seoul (2010) Gwangju (2014) Jeonju (2012) Busan (2014)

※ "( )" Year Joined.



Workshop on the UNESCO Creative City Network Promotion Committee

Gimhae's Journey to Enrollment Application

Gimhae submitted a filing to enroll in the "Design" field of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in 2010 only to fail for selection. However, the attempt powered Gimhae to integrate design to the city for making it more beautiful. Gimhae never gave in, either. The city started its efforts anew, as the cultivation of a culture industry for present and future generations will help ensure the sustainable growth for the city.

With the completion of the feasibility test and community opinion collection in 2017, Gimhae enrolled for a preliminary membership in the UCCN 'Craft and Folk Art' of the Korean National Commission for UNESCO next February, based on the creative assets of Buncheong ware and pottery. While participating in the domestic UCCN activities and hosting international academic forums, promoting UCCN to citizens, hosting workshops, the city has learned the Creative Cities visions and studied for a model that fits to the city.

On Oct. 23, 2020, Gimhae inaugurated the UCCN membership enrollment committee with 22 committee members consisting of experts from various fields of crafts, folk arts, culture, education, and urban regeneration, agency (organization) representatives and staffs, and community activists. The city has since been preparing to apply for an UCCN enrollment with the collaboration of the committee, city officials, relevant persons of creative assets (crafts and folk art), and UCCN-related experts.

At last in Mar. 2021, the Korean National Commission for UNESCO selected Gimhae to recommend as a member city candidate for the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, and Gimhae submitted an application to the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France in June. And in November, UNESCO notified us that Gimhae City has joined the UCCN field of Crafts and Folk Arts.

  • UNESCO Creative City Network Promotion Booth
  • UNESCO Creative City Network Promotion Booth
  • UNESCO Creative City Network Promotion Booth
  • UNESCO Creative City Network Promotion Booth