Ranking UNESCO Creative Cities Network for Tabriz

In 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network was introduced to help restore the economic, social and creative potential of the cultural industries. Currently, 246 cities from around the world are members of the network in one of seven fields: music, literature, cinema, handicrafts and folk arts, design, media arts and gastronomy. In the present study, using the UNESCO creative city indexes and the summary of a report provided by UNESCO for each of the creative cities, nine indexes of creative city were identified. Then, in order to study the potential of Tabriz to be introduced as a creative city and to identify its creative context, the data on the indexes were collected for Tabriz using a review of the documents. The results of the study of indexes and the calculation of TOPSIS indicate that the field of handicrafts and folk arts in terms of indexes of cultural resources, financial support, exports, artistic infrastructure and education infrastructure is in a better position than other fields. According to the results of this study, the field of handicrafts and folk arts has the greatest potential to be introduced as a creative city. Therefore, in order to achieve the creative city of Tabriz in this field, most strategies and programs should focus on strengthening cultural events and graduates.  For example, by increasing the holding of temporary exhibitions and bazaars and completing the projects of the Carpet Museum and the City of Handicrafts, it is possible not only to introduce handicrafts but also to encourage people to educate and attract students and apprentices.