Boosting urban development

Hans d’orville, former assistant director general for strategic planning at UNESCO, pointed out at the summit that the world had entered the era of a creative economy after eras which were successfully dominated by agriculture, industry and tertiary industries. The creativity sector, including the culture industry, is the most dynamic part of the world economy, contributing the most to growth and creating significant amount of jobs.

Taking Beijing for example, the city lacks natural resources, but is abundant in culture and labor. Developing cultural and creative industries is not only tapping into advantageous potential, but will also facilitate the restructuring of Beijing’s economy to a knowledge-based one. Compared to traditional industries, cultural and creative industries are knowledge-intensive and depend on innovation and cultural heritage instead of natural resources. They will bring material economic gains while exerting no impact on the natural environment.

Since 2006, Beijing had transformed companies that consume excess water and energy and discharge