Resource and Tool: Creative Lanna
Chiang Mai University is located in the region of Lanna culture and places great importance on preserving the knowledge, wisdom, and artistic heritage of Lanna while integrating and adapting it to modern lifestyles.
“Creative Lanna” is an active strategy of Chiang Mai University as part of its 12th Education Development Plan, focusing on being a center for preserving, conserving, and developing Lanna culture through creativity. This initiative aims to create added value from products, services, or tourism based on the intellectual and cultural resources of Lanna. The university has been creating and compiling applicable knowledge to benefit communities, enabling them to build upon this knowledge by integrating it with contemporary lifestyle design. This approach has led to the creation of contemporary innovations that can grow sustainably. So far, it has generated economic and social value amounting to 101 million baht through tourism support and enhancing the capabilities of entrepreneurs. Currently, Chiang Mai University is in the initial phase of implementing projects such as the “Creative District Development” and the “Creative Lanna Development Center (CLC)” to serve as a hub for driving the Creative Lanna strategy.
To achieve its goals, the university has established four main strategic objectives, also known as the “Four Jaeng of Lanna,” covering all aspects necessary for sustainable development which are as following
- Lanna Wisdom: A knowledge center focused on Lanna that provides useful information for short-term and long-term courses.
- Lanna Knowledge Repository: A database encompassing cultural diversity in Lanna and academic publications available in international databases.
- Creative Lanna: Innovations developed from Lanna knowledge that lead to new businesses and creative outputs.
- Cultural Landscape: Activities aimed at promoting well-being and creating a vibrant Creative Lanna atmosphere.
In the past, various strategies were implemented through projects across different university departments, including eight areas of creative Lanna wisdom aimed at sustainable innovation. These initiatives align with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as:
Goal 1: Eradicating poverty in all forms everywhere.
Goal 3: Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.
Goal 4: Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Goal 11: Making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
The most successful key project of Creative Lanna that aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is the Creative Lanna Street Art Project. This initiative is designed to promote cultural heritage, community engagement, and sustainable development through the integration of contemporary art with traditional Lanna culture. The project aims to create a vibrant and educational environment within CMU by showcasing contemporary street art that reflects Lanna culture. It serves as a medium for students and local artists to express their creativity while fostering a sense of pride in local traditions and customs.
This initiative particularly supports SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities by enhancing urban spaces through art, promoting cultural heritage, and encouraging community participation. The artworks are intended to be permanent installations that educate visitors about Lanna arts and culture, thus contributing to cultural sustainability and local empowerment13. The project involves collaboration with national artists and local communities, creating opportunities for social engagement and co-creation. This not only revitalizes local culture but also strengthens community ties and encourages self-improvement initiatives among residents1.
By fostering a creative environment, the project supports the local economy through increased tourism and the promotion of local crafts. It empowers local artisans by integrating traditional techniques into contemporary works, thereby enhancing the value of Lanna products23.
Overall, the Creative Lanna Street Art Project exemplifies how cultural initiatives can drive sustainable development while preserving and promoting local heritage, making it a cornerstone of CMU’s efforts in aligning with global sustainability goals.
