Wuxi's new tune: From heavy metal to melodies

In an era when cities face multiple challenges — climate pressures, social fragmentation and rapid urban growth — culture is not only an asset, but a strategic resource for resilience and sustainable development.

That was the message delivered by Jose Chong, program management officer with UN-Habitat, at the opening ceremony of "Encounter . Enlighten" — the Wuxi Creative Cities Dialogue held at Wuxi National Digital Film Industry Park on May 15.

Coorganized by the UNESCO Creative Cities Network Secretariat and Wuxi, Jiangsu province, which joined the UCCN as China's first UNESCO Creative City of Music in October 2025, the event was themed "Cultural and Creative Industries Driving Sustainable Urban Development".

The network, established in 2004 to promote culture and creativity as engines of sustainable urban growth, now includes 408 cities across more than 100 countries, spanning eight creative fields and enriching the cultural lives of over 700 million people.

The dialogue brought representatives from UNESCO, UN Tourism and UN-Habitat, and representatives from about 20 UNESCO Creative Cities from countries including France, South Korea, Italy, Spain, Malaysia, Morocco, Qatar, the United States, and China. Local officials, cultural leaders and industry professionals gathered to explore how cities can pursue more sustainable futures through creativity and cultural exchange.

In her opening speech, Denise Bax, secretary of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, highlighted Wuxi's long-standing relationship with music and culture.

"By hosting this international dialogue, the city honors its commitment to promoting music beyond boundaries while advancing culturally diverse, sustainable urban development, in particular by exploring ways in which cultural and creative industries can drive positive change," she said.

For Chong, such conversations are increasingly urgent in today's fast-changing urban world. The themes of this dialogue — openness, integration and innovation — reflect exactly the kind of transformation cities need today, she said.

"Today, it is clear that the future of cities is increasingly shaped by culture and creativity. Cultural and creative industries — from music, film and design to cultural tourism and digital innovation — are becoming key drivers of urban economies, social cohesion and place-making," she noted, "because successful cities are not only efficient — they are meaningful. They create spaces where people can gather, participate, create and belong."

In a video address, Sandra Carvao, director of market intelligence, policies and competitiveness at UN Tourism, echoed the importance of culture in shaping sustainable tourism and livable cities. "Cities are not only gateways for visitors. More importantly, they are living spaces. They are centers of creativity, custodians of heritage, engines for cultural and social transformation.

"When tourism is planned and managed sustainably, putting communities at the center of such development, and when culture is placed at the core of development, it can help preserve heritage, regenerate public spaces, empower those communities that host it, and support creative industries. It can also enhance the quality of life and the experiences of both residents and visitors," she said.