Making Connections: creative industries networks in outer-suburban locations

The role of networks and their contribution to sustaining and developing creative industries is well documented. This article argues that although networks operate across geographical boundaries, particularly through the use of communication technologies, the majority of studies have focused on the...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Australian geographer 2010-03, Vol.41 (1), p.57-70
Main Authors: Felton, Emma, Collis, Christy, Graham, Phil
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Australia
Business
business development
clusters
Communication
creative industries
Creative work
Economic activity
Ethnography
Geography
Inner city
Networks
outer suburban
spatial proximity
Studies
Suburban areas
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The role of networks and their contribution to sustaining and developing creative industries is well documented. This article argues that although networks operate across geographical boundaries, particularly through the use of communication technologies, the majority of studies have focused on the ways in which networks operate in (a) specific inner-urban metropolitan regions or (b) specific industries. Such studies are informed by the geographical mindset of creative city proponents in which inner-urban precincts are seen as the prime location for creative industries activity, business development and opportunity. But what of those creative industries situated beyond the inner city? Evidence in Australia suggests there is increasing creative industries activity beyond the inner city, in outer-suburban and ex-urban areas. This article identifies characteristics of creative industries networks in outer-suburban locations in Melbourne and Brisbane drawing on extensive ethnographic fieldwork. It argues that supporting and sustaining creative industries networks in these locations may require different strategies than those applied to inner-city networks.
ISSN:0004-9182
1465-3311
DOI:10.1080/00049180903535576