SKILLS MAPPING

Nowadays, technology has made it possible for almost everywhere in the world to manufacture similar products and services. Differentiation, consequently, comes from knowledge and creativity applied in the manufacturing process, thus, creating unique and diverse products to serve both local and global consumers.

Entrepreneurs who succeed in this new environment, therefore, are not those who own natural resources, cheap labor or low-cost capital; they are the ones who own ‘creativity’ that can turn manufacturing factors into products and services that overcome those of their competitors.

Thailand’s future economic wealth, similar to other countries, relies on creative people or the ownership of creative rights which will generate endless jobs and income.

Therefore, Thailand must head towards the creative economy, which is an economic system driven mainly by creative entrepreneurs, as it will generate employment and larger tax base for the government, enabling Thailand to maintain its sustainable economic growth.

Creative entrepreneurs does not only include those in arts and design, but also those who gather knowledge, talent, technology and the aesthetic of culture and arts and turn them into valuable and distinguished products that serve the needs of each group of consumers.

To create such creative entrepreneurs, environment and public activities that bring inspiration and learning are key factors that need to be implemented along with the general education and state policies that support the creation of thinkers who can be nurtured into creative entrepreneurs. This is what the governments of various countries are implementing under the ‘Creative City’ policy.

What is a creative city?

In developed countries such as the European Union and the United States, the creative industry is the main force that drives the economy. It is also an industry with the fastest rate of growth. Such success comes from many factors; the most important ones are the environment and elements of a ‘city’ that foster creative work, the interaction between creative people and available public spaces to express their output.

A creative city as defined by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in its Creative Economy Report (2008) is “an urban complex where cultural activities of various sorts are an integral component of the city’s economic and social functioning. Such cities tend to be built upon a strong social and cultural infrastructure, to have relatively high concentrations of creative employment, and to be attractive to inward investment because of their well-established cultural facilities.”

Charles Landry, an expert in planning the application of culture for the purpose of rehabilitating a city and the author of The Creative City, argues that local people and culture play a crucial role in making a city a creative space. They are a primary key to urban dynamism. Therefore, the local elements communicated through various forms of arts and cultural activities are considered creative assets, which are vital in differentiating one city from the others. 

Richard Florida, who introduced the term “creative class”, argues that the creative class, who are a main driving force of the creative economy, is an integral element. For that reason, cities are competing to attract, keep or grow their own creative classes by developing the environment and business infrastructures that facilitate investment and creative business.  They also focus on the most important part which is to preserve local culture and to plan an approach to sustainable development to make the city unique and diverse in terms of culture while physical development of the city is taking place.

Bangkok Creative City : Skills Mapping
Date : 30 November 2552

Bangkok Creative City : Apisit Laistrooglai

Is Bangkok ready to be a Creative City? : Somsak Chantawattana, Sorapong Paitoonpong, Adhiruth Thothaveesansuk, Karuna Dechatiwong Na Ayuttaya, Kittiratana Pitipanich

“Creative Economy” has become a familiar term among Thai people and they are beginning to understand it better. Now it is time to extend this knowledge about the creative economy into a real action. This is one necessary step to prepare Thailand for the creative economy regime. Thailand Creative & Design Center or TCDC invited policy makers and idea leaders who are responsible for developing creative cities to share and exchange their views in a seminar under the project of “BangkokCreative City” on November 30, 2009.

Six Strategic locations of Bangkok and the Outlook of becoming the Creative City 

As a matter of fact, all capital cities that have exceeded the reputation of a creative city must have physical characteristics aiming to support local creative workforce. As for Bangkok, the finding under taken by the City Research Unit from the Faculty of Architecture and Planning in Thammasat University on the topic “Bangkok Creative City”, shows that there are six strategic areas in Bangkok which are Jatujak, Thong Lor, Siam Square, Town in Town, RCA and Sukhumvit. The areas have suitable elements for the growth of Creative Economy and potential for driving Bangkok into becoming the creative city in the future.

Creative City Design : Urban Design and Planning to Stimulate Innovation : Michael Freedman

In a talk entitled “Creative City Design: Urban Design and Planning to Stimulate Innovation,” Freedman traced back to the historical failure of the 20th century cities and called for a new habit of urban design, to nurture and foster a new economy.

Bangkok Creative City : Skills Mapping
Date : 1 December 2552

New Direction in Urban Design and Planning for Creative Economy : Michael Freedman

The city inspiring innovation requires physical characteristics that nurture creativity. Two key environmental elements are one that fosters creativities and one that attracts creative class. This is to pay critical attention to green space, streetscape, retail, transport, and urban density, as these factors match conditions for creativity and innovation development.

Evolution of Bangkok Creative City : Dr. Narongchai Akraseranee, Apirak Kosayodhin, Supaluck Umpujh

In summary, a creative city is not about landscape adjustment or tourism development; it is a city that has the space and environment that foster economic activities born out of creativity. It is a place where thinkers and creative entrepreneurs, both local and international, come to operate their businesses, generating employment and income, and increasing the city and the nation’s economic competitive capabilities.

The main element of a creative city is creative entrepreneurs or thinkers who are the city’s valuable assets that are mobile and looking for a suitable place to live and operate a creative business.

There are also other key elements that make up a creative city.

A place where learning opportunities, creative facilities and manufacturing and business innovation, both at the city and through global network, are abundant

An environment that is attractive to creative entrepreneurs and thinkers from various places who look for inspiration for ideas and work, a place to live and a place to do business

The vision of the city and country’s leader who understands the process of making a city that has an environment suitable for creativity, business operation and residency, and promotes local culture as a foundation for inspiration and creativity

An approach to developing a creative city, therefore, must comprise various aspects of state policies and investment plans, from investments in basic and learning infrastructures, rules and regulations amendment to financial support given to creative entrepreneurs to facilitate their business and residency. In addition, diverse local and international activities are needed to creatively reflect the city’s unique characteristics and image.

Translated by Siritharin Chareonsiri

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