Bandung, once renowned as the “City of Flowers,” has transformed into a global creative hub. With its innovative spaces and thriving creative economy, the city continues to attract international attention and foster talents capable of competing on the world stage.
Deputy Minister of Creative Economy, Irene Umar, affirmed Bandung status as a creative city. “We must commend the Bandung City of Design initiative, which consistently innovates to grow the creative economy from local to regional, national, and even international levels,” Irene said in an official release on Sunday, January 12, 2025.
Irene emphasized that culture forms the foundation of the creative economy, and Indonesia, with its rich cultural heritage, holds immense potential. Bandung, officially recognized as a Creative City by UNESCO in 2017 for its Design Thinking for Government initiative, serves as a prime example.
Irene noted, “Bandung continues to spread inspiration and drive sustainable impacts for creative economy players. I’ve observed a strong spirit of collaboration here, which we can use as a model to develop the creative economy in other regions.”
What sets Bandung apart is its grassroots-driven creative movement. Unlike cities such as London, Singapore, or Tokyo, where creative industries grow through government-led initiatives, Bandung’s momentum comes from its youth, musicians, local entrepreneurs, and community groups.
The government supports these efforts, fostering a “local brand movement” that encourages young people to produce and consume local goods. This trend has begun influencing other cities across Indonesia.
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Creative spaces like The Hallway Space and Tab Space further enhance Bandung’s appeal. Irene praised these multifunctional hubs for making creative economy products more accessible to the public.
“In Bandung, you can discover local culinary treasures, unique fashion products, and hidden gems in well-designed creative spaces. Many creative economy pioneers from Bandung have already achieved international success,” she said.
Irene highlighted the need for resilience and collaboration with content creators to amplify local products’ reach and recognition. She also pointed out that Bandung’s creative economy ecosystem serves as a “laboratory of expression,” supported by universities that host regular events and provide creative spaces. This dynamic environment allows professional associations to map the creative sector and its contributions to the local economy.
With its unique grassroots approach, collaborative spirit, and international recognition, Bandung continues to set the standard for creative cities in Indonesia. Its success story inspires other regions to tap into their cultural strengths and innovate for sustainable growth.