Analyzing the Quality of Place: Creative Clusters in Soho and Beyoglu

Abstract

This paper analyzes the spatial characteristics of some parts of cities where the creative types (i.e. companies and people) involved in creative production are densely located. It aims to identify those socio-spatial factors that attract and retain creatives. In particular, it focuses on the film industry-based inner-city creative clusters, i.e. Soho in London and Beyoglu in Istanbul. This exploratory, cross-national, multiple case study applies the qualitative research techniques of interviews, observations, cognitive and cluster mapping. The paper concludes with the Analysis Framework for the Quality of Place which reveals the integrity of physical, socio-cultural, perceptual and visual characteristics of place. In particular, it discusses the key performance criteria and the scale of place which provides an inspiring and productive environment such as walkability, spatial proximity, and the public realm.