Co-creating the city: Digital technology and creative tourism

Abstract

Concepts such as the “playable city” provide the basis of concrete projects for cities around the world facing the challenge of reconciling the needs of residents and tourists. By analysing a case study of Recife's initiative within the playable city concept, “Playtown”, this paper investigates how digital technologies can play a role in the co-creative remaking of a city, revitalising both its material and socio-cultural fabric, through the means of co-creation processes involving different stakeholders. These co-creative processes help to democratise citizenship as well as tourism (creative) practices, which are becoming more about participation and engagement. The connection to technology also makes the link between tangible and intangible culture more interactive and playful. This paper presents therefore new insights at the crossroads of urban development and creative tourism, by focusing on co-creation around digital technologies.