Systematic Literature Review: Mapping George Town as a UNESCO Creative City

Dina Miza Suhaimi

doi:10.6007/ijarbss/v11-i4/9697

Abstract

UNESCO Creative Cities Network (hereafter UCCN) was established in 2004. The purpose of UCCN establishment is generally to facilitate the spread of cultural groups around the world; that include to exchange technical knowledge, experience, successful examples and to stimulate local economy and social development with the help of creative industries. UCCN covers seven creative categories that include crafts and folk art, creative fields, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts as well as music. UNESCO George Town Cultural World Heritage Site, Penang, Malaysia (hereafter UNESCO George Town) was successfully listed as a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site in 2008. Undoubtedly, the prestigious inscription has elevated UNESCO George Town’s status and popularity, both domestically and internationally. Unfortunately, although the concept of UCCN is gaining credence from other region and countries, there is still a dearth of research in Malaysia on the nascent topic of UCCN. Thus, this paper aims to fill this research gap. The objectives of this paper are two-fold: (1) To critically analysing the potentials of UNESCO George Town, if at all, to be part of UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN); and (2) To develop knowledge of systematic literature review (SLR) searching process with special reference to UNESCO George Town and UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). The findings of this paper revealed that there is a potential of UNESCO George Town to be branded as City of Gastronomy. The findings from this paper will perhaps benefit the key stakeholders and further elevate the status of UNESCO George Town, Penang, Malaysia.

Highlights

UNESCO Creative Cities Network The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was established in the year 1945, in order to create peace through international cooperation in culture, sciences as well as education (Pearson, and Pearson, 2017)
The findings of this paper revealed that there is a potential of UNESCO George Town to be branded as City of Gastronomy
The findings revealed that George Town qualifies to be branded as City of Gastronomy

Summary

Introduction

UNESCO Creative Cities Network The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was established in the year 1945, in order to create peace through international cooperation in culture, sciences as well as education (Pearson, and Pearson, 2017). (2) The second objective is to conduct the systematic literature review (SLR) searching process with special reference to UNESCO George Town and UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). A selection of examples of synonym words using Boolean operator ‘OR’ for this paper can be ("unesco creative citi* network" OR “unesco creative cit*" OR "creative cit*"). The search using Boolean operator ‘AND’ for this paper can be (("unesco creative cit* network" OR "unesco creative cit*" OR "creative cit*") AND ("george town" OR "george town penang” OR georgetown OR “pulau pinang” OR penang)). The search string for this paper is TITLE-ABS KEY (("unesco creative cities network" OR "unesco creative cit*" OR "creative cit*") AND ("george town" OR "george town penang” OR georgetown OR “pulau pinang” OR penang OR malaysia)) (see Figure 4). Total records screened by excluding ‘subject area’ of environmental science (n= 5)

Findings

Limitations and Future