University of Twente

Creative regions make it happen!

Dr. Gert-Jan Hospers

Introduction and overview

• Creativity and regions– new combinations– creative destruction– Schumpeter/Jacobs/Florida

• Overview presentation– creative industries– creative regions– European examples

Creative industries

• Creative industries– the arts, e.g. galeries– media and entertainment– creative professions

• Creative economy– authenticity/symbols– look and feel-factors– importance of design

Creative regions

• Creativity in place– global-local paradox– regional authenticity

• Creative regions– Florida’s three T’s– diversity and instability– strong image building– regional leadership

Example I: North-East

• Smokestack past– coal/shipbuilding– crisis » creativity– Newcastle-Gateshead

• Creative region– Angel of the North– Baltic and The Sage– a lot of free publicity

Example II: Vorarlberg

• Small but beautiful– Austria’s periphery– crisis in textiles– trend through tradition

• Creative region– werkraum bregenzerwald– architecture on B&S-parks– Bregenzer Festspiele

Example III: Twente

• Phoenix from ashes– textiles » technology– arts and industry – fireworks disaster

• Creative region– new ideas, old buildings– Roombeek area– New Stork City