It’s widely assumed that pragmatic elements, like a strong job or housing market, attract people to cities – but new studies show that vibrant cultural offerings, from galleries to club nights, are the real draw. How are lesser-known cities using creative clout to attract and retain residents?

From rainbow bagels to unicorn lattes, Instagram users are insatiable for all-things multi-coloured. Knowing this, Kampung Pelangi, a small village in Indonesia, gave itself a rainbow paint job in an attempt to boost tourism to the area – and it seems to be working.

Over 3,500 graffiti artists scrawl on Rome's public buildings and walls. But with citizen-led clean-ups, Retake Roma is reclaiming the capital one neighbourhood at a time. And with its goal resonating with over 6,000 young people, what does its success say about today’s Roman youth?

Now valued at $63.8 billion, the global art market is booming. Its biggest trade show, Art Basel, has transformed the cities of Basel and Miami into global cultural capitals. It's now setting its sights farther afield, with the Art Basel Cities project aiming to give smaller cities the Basel treatment.