Title: Designing the dragon or does the dragon design? An analysis of the impact of creative industries on urban development of Beijing

Authors: Erwin Van Tuijl; Jan Van der Borg

Addresses: Department of Regional, Port and Transport Economics & European Institute for Comparative Urban Research (Euricur), Erasmus University Rotterdam, P.O. Box 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands. ' Department of Economics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Cannaregio 873, Fondamenta S.Giobbe, 30121 Venezia, Italy; Department of Regional, Port and Transport Economics & European Institute for Comparative Urban Research (Euricur), Erasmus University Rotterdam, P.O. Box 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Abstract: Inspired by work on the creative class and creative cities, cities in Europe and Northern America have started to invest in creativity in general and in design in particular. Much less is known about the role of creativity in emerging economies. This paper analyses the role of design in the socio-economic development of Beijing. We identify main success factors and barriers for design businesses and show how design can be used for socio-economic development. Backed up by state investments and fast decision making, neighbourhoods have been revitalised and modern iconic landmarks are added to the collection of old monuments. Moreover, priority has changed from 'Made in China' to 'Created in China', allowing the country's industries to move upwards in the value chain. Nevertheless, and despite of the presence of key research institutes, further developments of the design sector and the use of design in other sectors are major challenges laying ahead.

Keywords: creative industries; socio-economic developments; creative clusters; urban design; urban architecture; emerging economies; creative cities; Beijing; 798 Art Zone; Dashanzi Art District; urban development; creativity; success factors; barriers; design businesses; state investments; decision making; neighbourhood revitalisation; revitalised neighbourhoods; modern landmarks; iconic landmarks; old monuments; value chains; research institutes; Chinese culture; Chinese management; China.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCCM.2012.046035

International Journal of Chinese Culture and Management, 2012 Vol.3 No.2, pp.125 - 138

Published online: 17 Dec 2014 *

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