

Building a global cultural city
Assisting Chengdu to assesses its cultural position internationally and where opportunities lay

Planning a new project?
If you are interested to learn more about our work or if you have a project you would like to discuss, get in touch.
LOCATION
Asia
CLIENT
Chengdu Media Group
SECTOR
Projects Sectors
EXPERTISE
Projects Expertise
The Chengdu Municipal Government has devised a long-term vision to become a global cultural city, promoting Chinese culture and creativity internationally through the context of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
We worked with the Chengdu Municipal Government and the Chengdu Media Group to advise on the programme design and international speakers lineup for its first high level cultural conference World Cities Culture Tianfu Symposium 2018. In addition, we produced research to assesses Chengdu’s cultural position internationally and where opportunities lay.
The report, launched at the event, investigates the relevance of cities and culture in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative. Here it uses a framework of both hard and soft measures to better understand Chengdu’s place in the world and to ask whether Chengdu has the right policies and global characteristics to build a network of cities through culture.
BOP have since been commissioned to manage a new Belt and Road World Cities Cultural Centre in partnership with CMG on behalf of Chengdu.

Project Report
ABOUT US
EXPERTISE
A global research and consulting practice for culture and the creative economy
Building on our contribution to the second edition of the report in 2018, BOP has led as the Data and Research partner on this report to help find out how policies can protect people working in the creative and cultural sectors.
UNESCO's Re|Shaping Policies for Creativity Report – Addressing culture as a global public good
UNESCO
Our strategy will guide the creation of a new digital service aiming at supporting and developing the creative scene in Downtown Kingston.
Leveraging the creative potential of Downtown Kingston through technology
Inter-American Development Bank - IDB
Our research into the UK's high streets found that 69% of people think culture on their high street makes their area a better place to live.
Culture: The cornerstone of the UK’s high streets
Arts Council England
BOP’s updated Handbook for the Inter-American Development Bank sets out strategies for sustainability and urban resilience
Creative and Cultural Industries and Urban Revitalisation in the post-COVID era
Inter-American Development Bank - IDB
We investigated the potential impact of AI on the cultural and creative industries.
Opportunities and Challenges of AI for the Cultural and Creative Industries
European Commission
Published today: ‘Design for Good: 90 Years of the RSA Student Design Awards’, a new publication from the RSA, co-authored by BOP
A History of Bright Ideas: 90 Years of the RSA Student Design Awards
The Royal Society for Arts (RSA)
New skills research in the Gulf Co-operation Council States
An evidence-base for the growing Gulf festivals sector
British Council
Our research into the museum workforce is launched
Conscientiousness, optimism, and curiosity
Museums Galleries Scotland
BOP’s report for Nanjing City Government demonstrates the importance of cross-cutting policies with a compelling cultural offer at the core
Creating Healthy Night-time Economies in World Cities
Nanjing Creative Center
Findings from our work at Great Ormond Street Hospital
Creativity in health settings
GOSH Arts
How is China influencing the future of Cultural Tourism?
Cultural Infrastructure for the 21st Century
Chengdu Media Group
Based on our impact analysis we estimate $750 billion in lost GVA for the CCI as a result of the pandemic so far.
Economic impact of COVID-19 on the Cultural and Creative Industries
UNESCO
Our analysis of the strengths & challenges of music in the Midlands is published
Hitting the right notes in the Midlands
Arts Council England
New handbook published for city leaders
How can cities make space for culture?
World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF)
Our report sheds new light on how building the capacity of the heritage sector can assist working internationally
International working builds stronger heritage sector at home
National Lottery Heritage Fund
Our new report with Nesta published
Opportunities for China-UK Cooperation through Equity Crowdfunding
Nesta
Our new research report for the National Trust
Protect urban heritage to prevent growth in inequality
National Trust
Our latest research for the Reading Agency shows we should read year-round
Reading is for life, not just for August
The Reading Agency
Our review of the Scottish Animation Sector, commissioned by Creative Scotland, has just been published
Review of the Scottish Animation Sector
Creative Scotland
UK-wide study of visitor experience practice provides new benchmarks for cultural and visitor attractions
Sharing Operations and Visitor Experience insight
VE:Forum