On World Cities Day 2025, UNESCO announced 58 new members to its Creative Cities Network (UCCN) — and among them are two Philippine gems: Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental and Quezon City in the National Capital Region.

Recognized for their dedication to creativity as a driver of sustainable development, Dumaguete earned its title as Creative City for Literature, while Quezon City gained the spotlight as Creative City for Film. These distinctions not only celebrate artistic excellence but also highlight how culture fuels economic and real estate development.

Dumaguete City: Literature and the Gentle Power of Ideas

Dubbed the “City of Gentle People,” Dumaguete has long been a haven for thinkers, writers, and learners. Anchored by Silliman University—the first American university in Asia—the city thrives as an academic and artistic hub.

In April 2025, Dumaguete hosted the second Dumaguete Literary Festival, gathering writers, poets, and creatives from across the country. This event reflected the city’s intellectual spirit and solidified its position as a literary hub of the Visayas.

For real estate professionals and investors, Dumaguete’s inclusion in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network reinforces its livability appeal—a blend of culture, education, and community. Expect a rise in creative tourism, co-living spaces, and mixed-use developments catering to a growing population of writers, digital workers, and students who value inspiration as much as infrastructure.

Quezon City: Film Capital and the City of Stars

Long hailed as the heart of Philippine cinema, Quezon City rightfully earns its place as UNESCO’s Creative City for Film. During the Golden Age of Philippine Cinema in the 1950s and 1960s, its film studios produced hundreds of movies that launched generations of stars and storytellers.

Today, it remains the epicenter of media and entertainment, home to major networks, production houses, and film schools. Quezon City’s designation reaffirms its status as a cultural powerhouse—one that blends history, artistry, and innovation.

For real estate and urban planners, this recognition signals opportunities for creative districts, film-tech start-up hubs, and adaptive reuse projects of old studios into vibrant creative spaces. The city’s creative economy is a strong driver for job creation, inclusive growth, and sustainable urban transformation.

Creative Cities, Creative Futures

Since its launch in 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network has championed cities that leverage culture and creativity for development—from creating jobs to strengthening community bonds. Dumaguete and Quezon City now join other Philippine cities in this global network:

• Baguio City – Creative City for Crafts and Folk Art (2017)
• Cebu City – Creative City for Design (2019)
• Iloilo City – Creative City for Gastronomy (2021)

Together, they represent the Philippines’ growing footprint in creative urbanism, proving that the arts are not separate from progress but essential to it.

What This Means for Urban Growth and Real Estate

Creativity is now a core pillar of sustainable development. UNESCO Creative Cities attract talent, tourism, and technology, all of which increase real estate value and urban vitality.

Dumaguete’s literary recognition will likely boost cultural tourism and residential demand from students and remote professionals. Meanwhile, Quezon City’s film identity enhances its image as a modern creative capital, encouraging more media investments, film-related infrastructure, and mixed-use developments.

For developers and real estate professionals, these designations present a call to action: invest where creativity thrives—because cities that tell great stories also build great communities.

Image Credits: Instagram/@jayjaytreyes2; Belle Mariano via Metro Style