PEOPLE in the creative industry will now have a home, as part of Cebu’s waterfront development will implement a Creative District in the North Reclamation Area.

The project was disclosed on Day 1 of the 1st Cebu Waterfront Development Summit on Thursday, May 11, 2023, which presented Cebu City’s ideas and plans for the development of the waterfront area.

Film hub

The creative district is one of three districts that will be developed which will serve as a central hub to film, production, animation and other various creative studios.

Architect Joseph Michael Espina, officer-in-charge of the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), said the area is intended to host Knowledge Process Outsourcing enterprises which will focus on innovation, creativity and digital transformation, and that there is a need for local Cebuano artists and creatives to come together in one location.

“Important thing is to bring them together, to let them discuss and interact,” Espina said.

Key location

Espina said the North Reclamation Area was chosen because it is a key location, with areas like Barangay Mabolo containing warehouses and big enterprises that make it easy to move in and ready to convert into studios like Hollywood, which has studios that are often warehouses.

The creative district will be accomplished through public-private partnerships, and discussions with various groups have started. The summit serves as a platform to introduce the ideas and plans of the Cebu City Government and CPDO to stakeholders.

The waterfront development plans to develop the waterfront area into three districts: Housing District, Historic District, and Creative District which will improve accessibility, open economic opportunities and improve depressed areas. (RALPH MARTINEZ, BIPSU INTERN)