Creativity and Urban Development: Can cities have it all: Culture, competitiveness, social inclusion and sustainable development?

The potential of the creative paradigm has excited policy makers, policy advisor’s, advertising agencies and academic researchers alike.  For a time, the use of the word “creative” was seen as a panacea to address stagnation, recession and underinvestment.

The UK is awash with “creative” cities, towns, sectors, quarters and organisations which looked to jump onto the “creativity bandwagon” to raise their profiles, competitiveness and status.  However, just attaching the word “creative” to a city or initiative, promoting and building cultural flagship projects, such as The Public in West Bromwich or hosting cultural events like the millennium celebrations at The Dome did not meet the expectation of city planners and city managers. Similarly the promotion of cultural and creative industries did not really contribute to structural change of ailing local economies, except within some very specific areas. In the end using the creativity paradigm has been much window dressing.

The complex circle of culture, competitiveness, social inclusion, and sustainable development is a real challenge of city mayors and local stakeholders.  There is no doubt that much creativity is required when aiming to square this circle. This discussion discusses a range of international examples and possible solutions.

Prof Klaus R. Kunzmann, Berlin.
Leading international expert in planning and cities, pioneer in research and practice of the cultural and creative industries. Talks from his global experience.

The event is hosted by City University London.

For further Information, contact City University London:
(0)20 7040 5060 / http://www.city.ac.uk

Images: courtesy of Prof Klaus R. Kunzmann