Cultural And Creative Potential Of Egyptian Cities: A Composite Index Approach

In recent decades, global interest has grown in the role of culture and creativity in fostering regional development and economic growth. This interest is rooted in the recognition of the contributions of the creative sectors to innovation, job creation, and cultural vibrancy within urban areas. These sectors are considered drivers for culture-led development at local, regional, and national levels, thus supporting regional economies. This study aims to classify Egyptian cities based on their potential as cultural and creative cities. Using established research and international indices, the study develops a Composite Cultural and Creative Cities Potential Index (CCCPI) tailored to Egyptian cities. The methodology includes an expert-based e-questionnaire dimensions selection and weighting, the Min_Max normalization method, and weighted sum aggregation techniques. The CCCPI comprises three sub-indices—cultural vitality, creative economy, and enabling environment—encompassing ten dimensions and sixty-four indicators. Results reveal significant disparities among cities, which are categorized into five distinct groups. The findings offer policy recommendations tailored to each category and emphasize each group's strengths and weaknesses through the index's sub-indices. This research provides policymakers, urban planners, and stakeholders with a comprehensive understanding of the cultural and creative potential of Egyptian cities.