Abstract
Victoria Yards is a successful example of regeneration within the city of Johannesburg, South Africa. While the urban complex consists predominantly of artisan studios, it also focuses on educational facilities, urban farming and skills development, which contribute to the collective function of the creative enterprise. Throughout the effective growth of Victoria Yards, emphasis has been placed on the integration with surrounding communities and extending generated growth into adjacent suburbs. Creative industries offer a holistic view of the connection that cultural knowledge and technology have with industry and development, offering employment opportunities and socio-economic growth. Through the use of a case study methodology, this paper aims to map the creative ecosystem of the urban artisan complex of Victoria Yards to identify functional contributors and creative collaborations that enabled the successful development of the enterprise. Initially, the paper explores existing literature on creative ecosystems, outlining the value and drive that creative work contributes to contemporary economies. Based on a comprehensive understanding of theoretical approaches to mapping ecosystems, the study uses a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods to guide the mapping of the Victoria Yards creative ecosystem. The outcome of the study forms a precedent for sustainable and appropriate urban regeneration by outlining how the elements within a creative ecosystem can effectively interact with each other to generate sustainable social development and business growth resulting in human wellbeing and reduced inequalities, aligning with the principles of appropriate technology.