State PCS - Uttar Pradesh (UP PCS)

• 20 Jun 2025

Lucknow's Bid for UNESCO City of Gastronomy

Why in News? 

Famous for its culture, cuisine, and heritage, Lucknow has officially submitted its nomination to UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network under the “City of Gastronomy” category. 

Note: Currently, Hyderabad is the only city in India to hold the title of “City of Gastronomy” under the UCCN.

Key Points 

• UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN): 
  • It was created in 2004 to promote cooperation with and among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development. 
    • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. 
  • The network covers seven creative fields: crafts and folk arts, media arts, film, design, gastronomy, literature and music. 
  • In the gastronomy sector, member cities include Alba (Italy), Arequipa (Peru), Bergen (Norway), Belem (Brazil), Bendigo (Australia). 
• Indian Cities in the UCCN (as of 2023): 
  • A total of 10 Indian cities are part of the UCCN across different creative fields: Kozhikode (Literature), Gwalior (Music), Jaipur (Crafts and Folk Arts), Varanasi (Music), Chennai (Music), Mumbai (Film), Hyderabad (Gastronomy), Srinagar (Crafts and Folk Arts).