Three pillars for setting up a creative environment by Technopolis GS

A representative of the innovation cluster Technopolis GS, Kaliningrad region, spoke about the main principles of forming a creative environment in a small town in Russia during the II St. Petersburg Cultural Forum. The opinion of experts is based on the positive experience of Technopolis GS which is not only developing state-of-the-art technology and innovative production, but also creating a cultural environment.

At the roundtable titled “Culture tools for revitalization of urban spaces” Elvira Gizatullina, Deputy Director for Strategic Development, Technopolis GS, delivered a report in which she outlined the components of a creative environment in a small town. The roundtable held in the Tkachi creative space on December, 4, came as a part of the II St. Petersburg Cultural Forum. The participants discussed modern trends in the creation of cites’ cultural environments employing creative initiatives. They also reviewed the opportunities of the so-called  “knowledge economy” being a driver for the development of cities and countries of the world in the near decades.

One of the issues that the speakers of the roundtable addressed was building up a creative environment that might contribute to the long-term sustainable development of the territory. The representative of Technopolis GS shared the experience of the cluster in this field. Today this center of innovation is efficiently developing the social and cultural space of a small town of Gusev, which is adjacent to Technopolis GS.

Ms. Gizatullina listed the key factors which, in her opinion, form a creative environment today.

“When we are developing a creative cluster in a small town we must not only provide the cultural components, but construct a complete social infrastructure to improve the standard of living for the people. In Technopolis GS, for example, we are designing a residential area. A school and a nursery school will also be built, the cluster will have a medical center of its own, an art residence, a concert hall, and other facilities”.

According to the speaker, the next step should be filling this infrastructure with quality content that would stimulate creative development of the people. These are various events including exhibitions, workshops, concerts and other cultural activities. “And, at last, the third step is to involve the residents into the process, let them become listeners, viewers, and active participants who are capable of creating something new themselves”, Ms. Gizatullina concluded.

Currently this model is being implemented in Technopolis GS. Its art residence will include workshops and other spaces for creative activity. Events and festivals are regularly held in the innovation cluster, such as the annual holiday “Day of Technopolis” bringing the rock, pop and jazz groups from all over Russia and Europe to the town of Gusev. The administration of Technopolis GS also often organizes film screenings, master classes and other events.

Setting up cultural spaces in  smaller cities is aimed at reviving the areas hosting industrial facilities but having very few leisure and cultural opportunities.  Creating them is a task for a socially responsible business. GS Group holding, which is the investor of Technopolis GS, along with actively developing innovations, uses its resources for  building up cultural and  creative infrastructure.