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World Cities Culture Report 2015
The 2015 edition of the World Cities Culture Report is the most comprehensive report to date. Dedicated to the part culture will play in the life of world cities in years to come, the Forum now boasts a network of over 30 cities. Together they tackle the issues that will determine sustainable urban development: How can culture solve some of the biggest challenges of our urban environments? How do cities understand culture’s role in the way their citizens live, work and play? What will be the link between culture and urban citizenship?
Our major initiative, the World Cities Culture Report 2015 sets out the key issues facing World Cities today.
Each day during the accompanying forum, we are taking an in-depth look at the evidence behind these conclusions. Yesterday we covered innovation. Today, we are looking at the role of culture in city success.
Excerpt II. Cultural Vibrancy and City Success Go Hand in Hand
Cities have always been home to the arts and culture. They are the places where artists, actors and musicians find their audiences. In growing global cities, a lively cultural scene might be seen as a happy by-product of economic success. But a busy cultural life, and the connections that come from it, are a critical requirement for social and economic progress: cultural vibrancy and city success share a common DNA.
Our cultural vibrancy and city success reading list
Culture is a crucial part of any great city - as shown in the first World Cities Culture Report. But it takes a low profile in many “city success rankings” because it is hard to measure (see the intro here).
In London, cultural tourism supports 80,000 jobs. Edinburgh’s Festivals generate over a quarter of a billion pounds of additional tourism revenue for Scotland. It’s a huge issue for the role of European Capitals of Culture.
Much of the evidence that culture helps to attract a talented workforce is based on the work of Richard Florida, whether you are for his theories or against.
Professor Andy Pratt sets out the future of culture in cities. His account of the “tourist-experience city” sets out a future where the city is curated, like a museum.
And our own experience is that cultural vibrancy results in social and economic benefits. Compendiums list the different initiatives looking to benefit here.
Today we also set out a vision for the future of culture in UK cities, based on the opinions of nearly 50 experts across the UK. We think this is worth more than a glance.
We’d love your recommendations for reading – get in touch below.
You can dowload the full report below.
Cultural Vibrancy and City Success
Our second reading list on a key theme of the World Cities Culture Report 2015
Nov 18, 2015
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EXPERTISE
A global research and consulting practice for culture and the creative economy
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Nov 4, 2021
How are major cities around the world responding to climate change through cultural policies and programmes?
The Green World Cities of Tomorrow: Culture and Sustainability
Paul Owens
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Apr 22, 2021
5 Priorities for World Cities in the post-covid recovery period
Culture and the Climate Emergency
Paul Owens
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Dec 4, 2020
Culture can play an important role in recovery and renewal across the UK, if the right local decision-making is put in place
Culture and the Recovery: Levelling Up Culture?
Callum Lee
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Sep 23, 2020
This focused, coordinated set of measures can not only rescue the sector, but position it to lead the recovery
Central London’s celebrated cultural offer is in peril
Jonathan Todd
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Aug 21, 2020
Three big questions as applications close for Arts Council England’s Cultural Recovery Fund
COVID-19: Government support packages for culture and creative industries #3
Paul Owens
Jul 30, 2020
The UK’s £1.57 billion recovery package: priorities for a New Deal
COVID-19: Government support packages for culture and creative industries #2
Paul Owens
Jul 20, 2020
Cities are using their unique capabilities to lead recovery and renewal
COVID-19: Cities, Culture and the 3 ‘P’s: powers, partnerships, place
Paul Owens
Jul 7, 2020
Investing in recovery, planning for transformation
COVID-19: Government support packages for culture and creative industries #1
Paul Owens
Jun 30, 2020
Recovery and renewal will depend on how we address the three dimensions of the crisis
COVID-19 is a triple blow to culture and the creative industries
Paul Owens
Jun 3, 2020
In the face of radical uncertainty leaders and policy-makers will have to take planning and collaboration to whole a new level
‘Plans are useless, planning is essential’
Paul Owens
May 13, 2020
Nobody knows what will happen next, but we have a good idea of the three necessary steps out of the crisis
Relief, Recovery and Renewal: navigating our way to a new kind of future
Paul Owens
Dec 20, 2019
A cause for optimism
Weaving the Golden Thread into the 2020s
Paul Owens
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By BOP Consulting
Paul Owens
Co-Founder and Director
Paul is a leading international advisor and practitioner in cultural policy and creative economy. He is Co-Founder of BOP, and alongside his fellow directors he has pioneered now well-established methods to measure the impact of cultural policy.
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