In 2011, the City of Ghent had two studies carried out: the first study was made by the internationally renowned urban consultant Charles Landry
(the ‘Creative City Index') and concerned a measurement of the creative heartbeat of the City of Ghent. The second study concerned the creative economy in the City. Ghent scored 64,41% on the Creative City Index, the highest score of all cities which had so far been examined by Charles Landry (some other cities which had been examined by Landry are amongst others Bilbao (Spain), Freiburg (Germany) and Oulu (Finland). Landry calls Ghent ‘a pocket sized metropolis': a rare combination of the intimacy of a small city and the openness of a real metropolis.

 De Creative Cities Index (20.74 kB)

The results of the second study confirm the creativity within the City:
it turns out that the creative industry in Ghent houses several
flourishing sub sectors. In total, the City of Ghent counts more than
five hundred creative and innovative companies which all together employ
more than six thousand people. Anyway, Ghent should focus to a larger
extent on a cross-sectorial co-operation and promotion. The results of
both studies are a very interesting breeding ground for new actions and
do also contain a number of recommendations for the next term. 

Creative City Index methodology

In its municipal mission, the City of Ghent formulates its ambition to
become a ‘creative city' by the year 2020; a city which ‘owing to a
forced through combination of all creative forces wants to play a
pioneering role in the development of a sustainable, solidary and open
society'. To which extent is the City of Ghent already on its way to
become such a creative city? Which are the strengths of the City and
where is room left for (possible) improvement? What do insiders and
outsiders think about Ghent? How does the City of Ghent relates as a
creative city to other comparable cities in Europe and the world?

Ghent is well on its way to become a creative city.

The conclusions of the creative screening are preponderantly positive.
In the policy areas of liveability, diversity and professionalism Ghent
scores rather high. The challenge, however, is located in the same area:
Ghent is a liveable city but is now facing a rather critical point, a
transitional phase during which an enormous growth has to be adjusted
towards something constructive. Ghent does not have the physical room to
keep growing and developing and the ground becomes more and more
expensive. How long will this be affordable and will Ghent in future be
able to create new ‘room' for creative development? In this respect, the
urban renewal projects are a true blessing. In these projects people
from different sectors will be able to work together, technology, trade
and industry, the students and the government. How does Ghent deal with
that new, horizontal way of working? How does the municipal organisation
change its own mentality and behaviour? Ghent has to further develop
from an industrial economy towards a real knowledge economy, from a
‘top-down' policy towards a  ‘co-creation' business model. Landry
provides us with a number of specific recommendations, going from the
more elaborate use of knowledge from existing companies and
universities, to the link of science and culture and the support of
creative ecology (urban renewal projects), and even the call in of Ghent
‘conversation managers': in order to put the ‘City of Ghent, so much
City' on the international map (‘Ghent, what a city!'). Ghent must
become one of the leaders of the ‘4th clean, lean, green industrial
revolution' (the 4th open, target-oriented, green industrial
revolution).

Creative Economy Study

On European level, the City of Ghent is a centre for creative economy.
Owing to the presence of the University and the University Colleges in
the City, the cultural heritage and the various renowned events and
festivals, it is generally known that Ghent is very much appreciated by
the innovative and creative companies.

Till now, Ghent did not really have a clear and uniform image as regards
the composition of its creative economy. Through this research
assignment, the City of Ghent wants throw light on the project and gain a
clear insight on the force and the position of the present creative
talent. Furthermore, the City wants to know the specific needs of the
sector as the City wants to attune its service in the most efficient
way. This way, the City of Ghent hopes to be able to develop the Ghent
creative economy in a better way.

Results: Creative players in Ghent

The creative economy is composed of six domains: ‘new media',
‘audiovisual art', ‘culturally linked activities', ‘publication and
prints', ‘creative services' and ‘design, fashion and diamonds'. On
Flemish level, Ghent is a biotope for creativity. In comparison with the
other Flemish centre cities, the sector is strongly represented both as
regards the number of companies as well as with respect to employment.
This way, Ghent and Antwerp represent approximately 50 % of the welfare
creation within the creative economy. Ghent boasts more than five
hundred creative companies which collectively employ more than 6.000
people. Moreover, approximately 18% of the Ghent self-employed exercises
a creative profession. The creative sector is quite varied in Ghent.
However, as regards employment there is a concentration in the sub
sector ‘new media' with companies such as Netlog and TomTom and the sub
sector ‘culturally linked activities' with cultural houses such as
Vooruit Arty Centre, NTGent but also Capitole. Together, they represent
65% of creative employment. Furthermore, the considerable diversity of
small-scale activity is striking. Only a few creative companies employ
more than twenty staff members. The Ghent-based creative industry is
therefore composed of many self-employed and small organisations.
Companies such as In the Pocket and Netlash illustrate however that
Ghent boasts an interesting breeding ground to develop as small
organisation into a nationally and internationally renowned company.

Strengths and weaknesses for the creative economy in Ghent

Discussions with several actors from various sub sectors of the creative
economy revealed that the presence of the Ghent University and various
university colleges is a genuine motor of knowledge and creativity for
the city.

The 67.000 young, often creative students constitute a significant group
of potential talent which attracts a huge number of companies.
Moreover, Ghent boasts an excellent score with its policy aimed at
supporting all kings of cultural activities and events. In any case,
Ghent boasting a considerable number of pubs and restaurants is an
agreeable city to live and work in. The increasing interest which is
attached to the ‘quality of life' is most certainly an advantage for
Ghent. It is striking, however, that there are relatively few links
between the mutual creative industries and the other economic sectors.
Furthermore, there is a lack of sufficient high-grade and payable
company premises for the creative companies. 

Payable space, promotion and networks

The inquiry has demonstrated that Ghent boasts a comprehensive series of
assets and sufficient potential as top location for the creative
industries. Yet, Ghent can not afford to rest on one's laurels. If it
wishes to keep on assuming a pioneering role in Flanders, it should wage
additional means in order to make available suitable and payable space
for young, creative enterprises. The discussions with various actors
from the creative sector revealed the demand for more promotion.
Moreover, they wish to have a meeting place where creative entrepreneurs
can get acquainted. Another concrete demand from the sector is the
introduction of teaching packages with respect to entrepreneurship
within the creative training. This way, young people will be sensitised
to start a company and they will have the necessary knowledge from the
beginning. 

Nutrition for new actions & for the new legislative power

Shortly, the results of the study as regards the creative economy will
be presented to the Ghent-based creative entrepreneurs. Together with
them we will examine which actions should be elaborated on short or long
term in order for Ghent to expand and strengthen its creative economic
position. The results of this study and those of the Creative City Index
inquiry will be presented to the Ghent Municipality as a basis of
inspiration for the long-range plan in the new term of office.