Short answer

Consider the potential of creative industries as a catalyst for urban tourism development when designing or revitalizing urban spaces.

Field
Innovation & Design
Source
WestminsterResearch (University of Westminster) (2010)
Method
Qualitative research
Sample
132 visitors interviewed
Evidence
Moderate effect

Concentrations of creative industries can significantly boost urban tourism by attracting visitors interested in arts, design, and culture. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2010 study published in WestminsterResearch (University of Westminster). Using Qualitative research with 132 visitors interviewed, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Consider the potential of creative industries as a catalyst for urban tourism development when designing or revitalizing urban spaces.

Study
Innovation & DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

Creative Industry Clusters Drive Urban Tourism Growth

Concentrations of creative industries can significantly boost urban tourism by attracting visitors interested in arts, design, and culture.

WestminsterResearch (University of Westminster) · 2010

01

Key Findings

  • 01Creative industry clusters attract visitors interested in arts, design, and fashion.
  • 02Creative professionals often visit these areas for work-related reasons.
  • 03The urban form and the presence of creative production contribute to the tourist experience.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Consider the potential of creative industries as a catalyst for urban tourism development when designing or revitalizing urban spaces.

How to apply

When developing urban regeneration projects, identify opportunities to support or create clusters of creative businesses to attract tourism.

Project actions

  • 01When researching a location for a design project, consider its existing creative industries.
  • 02Think about how to design spaces that would appeal to both locals and tourists interested in creativity.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate how creative industry clusters influence the development of urban tourism and the visitor experience.
MethodQualitative research
ProcedureConducted face-to-face interviews with visitors and key informants in four non-central London creative areas. Utilized sketched mental maps as a novel method to study tourist experiences. Coded interview transcripts and mental maps thematically.
Sample132 visitors interviewed
ContextUrban tourism and creative industry development

Variables

IVConcentration of creative industries
DVUrban tourism development, visitor characteristics, tourist experience
CVNon-central urban areas in London
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Utilizes a novel method (mental mapping) to capture tourist experiences.
  • +Focuses on less-studied non-central urban areas.

Limitations

The study is specific to London; results might differ in other cities with different cultural contexts or urban structures.

Reliability & validity

Qualitative methods like interviews and mental mapping provide rich, in-depth data but may have lower generalizability. Triangulation of data from visitors and key informants enhances validity.

Think critically

How might the 'creative' label itself become a tourist attraction, potentially leading to gentrification and displacement of the very creative industries that initially drew visitors?

05

Design Principles

"Integrate creative hubs to foster unique urban tourism experiences."

Understanding this relationship is crucial for urban planners and designers aiming to revitalize areas. By fostering creative hubs, cities can create unique visitor experiences and stimulate local economies.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Places with lots of artists, designers, and creative businesses can become popular tourist spots because people like to visit and see creative things.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Use this research to justify the selection of a site for your design project if it has creative industries.
  • 2.Refer to this study when discussing the potential impact of your design on local tourism or community engagement.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights that creative industry clusters can act as significant drivers of urban tourism. By attracting visitors interested in arts, design, and culture, these areas develop a unique appeal, suggesting that fostering creative hubs is a viable strategy for urban regeneration and tourism development.

09

Source

WestminsterResearch (University of Westminster)

Tourism and the development of 'creative' urban areas: evidence from four non-central areas in London

journal · 2010

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about creative industry clusters drive urban tourism growth?
Consider the potential of creative industries as a catalyst for urban tourism development when designing or revitalizing urban spaces. Evidence: WestminsterResearch (University of Westminster) (2010).
Why does "Creative Industry Clusters Drive Urban Tourism Growth" matter for design?
Understanding this relationship is crucial for urban planners and designers aiming to revitalize areas. By fostering creative hubs, cities can create unique visitor experiences and stimulate local economies.
How can designers apply this research?
Consider the potential of creative industries as a catalyst for urban tourism development when designing or revitalizing urban spaces.
What were the main findings?
Creative industry clusters attract visitors interested in arts, design, and fashion.. Creative professionals often visit these areas for work-related reasons.. The urban form and the presence of creative production contribute to the tourist experience.
What research method was used?
Qualitative research with 132 visitors interviewed.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2010 journal from WestminsterResearch (University of Westminster).
What should I do differently in my next project?
When developing urban regeneration projects, identify opportunities to support or create clusters of creative businesses to attract tourism.
What are the limitations?
Focuses on specific non-central London areas, findings may not be universally applicable.