Attendee's Invitation to the Cities Forward Academy by the Mayor

In the heart of Essen, Germany, on July 3, 2025, the Cities Ahead Academy took place at the community hall of the KreativKathedrale TRUDI, located in the city centre. This two-day event was a significant step forward in Essen's bid to become a UNESCO Creative City of Design in 2027.

The Cities Ahead program, part of a team working on Essen's application, provided practical knowledge on impulses from the cultural and creative industries. The academy was led by renowned experts in international cultural urban development, aiming to promote international visibility and cultural appeal for ambitious culture and creative cities in Europe.

Mayor Thomas Kufen welcomed guests to the event, emphasising Essen's rich history and future in design. Notable examples include the Golden Madonna and the ceramics workshop on Margarethenhöhe. The city is also home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Zollverein and hosts the renowned Museum Folkwang and Red Dot Design Museum.

The Folkwang University of the Arts and the University of Applied Sciences in Essen are outstanding educational institutions in the field of design. The academy's workshops included discussions on "Cities as creative ecosystems", "Development of cultural strategies", and "International networks".

As Essen strives to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for Design in 2027, the Cities Ahead program, initiated by the Goethe-Institut, is playing a crucial role in this endeavour. The program aims to support cities that are committed to fostering creativity and innovation in their communities, contributing to a more vibrant and sustainable urban future.

While the search results do not provide specific information about which cities will be part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for Design in 2027, the Cities Ahead Academy in Essen demonstrated the city's dedication to this goal and its potential to become a thriving hub of design and creativity.