From Creative District to Hub of Creativity

A creative district is one of the popular tools many countries have used to invigorate their quiet cities or neighborhoods through creativity. It is also a crucial mechanism for boosting the economy, elevating people’s living standards, and enhancing locals’ competitiveness.

As many people know, Thailand has some creative districts in several provinces. According to the Thailand Creative District Network (TCDN), more than 30 creative districts are in 33 cities nationwide. Located in Chiang Mai province, the Klang Viang neighborhood (the northern part of Chiang Mai’s old town area) and the Chang Moi–Thapae neighborhood are prominent creative districts in the city. The Creative Economy Agency (CEA) has collaborated with locals, communities, designers, and creative entrepreneurs to discover unique identities, revive history, and enhance their creative assets. CEA views these neighborhoods as the ‘region’s first creative district prototypes’ and considers them a case study for the city’s development platform through the network of creative districts in the northern part of Thailand. This approach also involves using local-context tools to drive the city through the Local City Lab, seeking new possibilities, and fostering creative thinking to develop the districts, their products, and services.

Furthermore, every last month of the year, CEA organizes the annual design festival, ‘Chiang Mai Design Week,’ inviting everyone to admire these creative districts, which showcase many exhibitions and activities amidst a pleasant and friendly atmosphere. This festival also invites residents to share their views and co-create new, challenging ideas for enhancing their neighborhoods and city.  

Originating in the historic Klang Viang district, the festival’s program weaves the rich tapestry of the area’s history, art, and culture with a contemporary twist. It features modern handicraft exhibitions, folk wisdom workshops, a vibrant Pop Market, captivating mini-concerts by local musicians, and engaging interactive lighting displays. 

In the vibrant Chang Moi-Thapae district, numerous experimental projects are unfolding, a collaborative effort between local artists, designers, and shop owners, all driven by a shared ambition: to discover fresh opportunities for enhancing the quality of life in the community. Among these initiatives, the standout feature is City Farming. This program unites residents to create a brand-new edible green space in the city’s heart. This innovative space not only promises clean and healthy food sources for the locals but also establishes an environmentally friendly initiative that holds the potential to become an economic cornerstone for the neighborhood in the near future. 

Last but not least, more programs aim to uncover the creative industry potential of these two districts. These programs encompass the realms of food, handicrafts, design, music, and the arts, and they invite everyone to join in the endeavor to explore new opportunities for enriching Chiang Mai’s creative ecosystem and contributing to the growth of Thailand’s creative economy.