The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recently added Mumbai and Hyderabad to its ‘Creative Cities’ network. This inclusion came among 66 other cities on World Cities Day 2019, celebrated annually on October 31st. With this new batch of cities, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) now encompasses a total of 246 cities. Specifically, Mumbai has been characterized as a Creative City of Films, while Hyderabad is now known as a Creative City of Gastronomy.
The Inclusion of Indian Cities in UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network
Previously, UNESCO has recognized other Indian cities for their unique contributions to culture and creativity. Chennai and Varanasi have been included in UNESCO’s Cities of Music category, while Jaipur earned a designation as a City of Crafts and Folk Arts. The recognition of Mumbai as a hub for films and Hyderabad as a city renowned for its delectable cuisine further underscores India’s rich cultural diversity.
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)
Introduced in 2004, the UCCN consists of 246 cities as of 2019. Its primary goal is to embed creativity and cultural industries at the core of development plans at the local level while fostering active international cooperation. The cities that form part of the UCCN have committed to sharing best practices and fostering partnerships across public and private sectors, along with civil society, to augment the creation, production, and dissemination of cultural activities.
UCCN’s Pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals
Through innovative thinking and action, the UNESCO Creative Cities strive to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They champion sustainable development initiatives that directly benefit urban communities. Notably, SDG 11 aims to foster Sustainable Cities and Communities. The UCCN covers seven creative domains: crafts and folk arts, media arts, films, design, gastronomy, literature, and music.
Table of Facts
| Year UCCN Introduced | Total Cities in UCCN (2019) | Mumbai’s Designation | Hyderabad’s Designation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 246 | Creative City of Films | Creative City of Gastronomy |
World Cities Day 2019
The United Nations General Assembly has marked October 31st as World Cities Day. The theme for World Cities Day in 2019 was “Changing the world: innovations and a better life for future generations”.