Culture, Cities and Identity in Europe STUDY European Economic and Social Committee Culture, Cities and Identity in Europe Culture, Cities and Identity in Europe Study This study was carried out by Culture Action Europe and Agenda 21 for Culture – UCLG following a call for tenders launched by the European Economic and Social Committee. The information and views set out in this study are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee. The European Economic and Social Committee does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this study. Neither the European Economic and Social Committee nor any person acting on the European Economic and Social Committee’s behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein. Culture, Cities and Identity in Europe Contributors For Culture Action Europe Managing Editor Katherine Heid Research Mehdi Arfaoui Katherine Heid Advisor Luca Bergamo Layout Natalie Giorgadze For Agenda 21 for Culture – UCLG Research Carina Lopes Jordi Baltà Portolés Advisor Jordi Pascual Supporting editor Simon Mundy ii Culture, Cities and Identity in Europe FOREWORD by Luca JAHIER As President of the Various Interests Group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) I strongly recommend this study on 'Culture, Cities and Identity in Europe' which was commissioned by the EESC. At the heart of this study are the following questions: can Culture help us to overcome the systemic, political and identity crises which are currently shaking the European Union? What role can Culture and Cities play in strengthening social and territorial cohesion, in engaging in dialogue and building trust in our complex societies? Can Culture bring Hope, New Narratives and a second Renaissance to Europe? Culture has an enormous untapped potential for becoming a unifying and mobilising instrument in Europe. It is my firm belief that at a time when extremism is increasing unabated, at a time when our citizens are questioning their common identity more than ever since 1945, now is the moment to firmly place Culture and cultural policies at the heart of the European political agenda! Now is the time to invest in the sector and to support the plethora of actors engaged in cultural governance. Now is the time to include Culture as a tool of soft power in Europe's External Relations and to promote Culture as the 4th Pillar of Sustainable Development! As Jean Monnet wisely stated: "If I had to do it again, I would begin with culture". Luca JAHIER President of the Various Interests Group European Economic and Social Committee iii Culture, Cities and Identity in Europe Table of Contents 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Cities ......................................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Culture ..................................................................................................................................... 3 1.3 Identity and New Narratives .................................................................................................. 3 2. Methodology .................................................................................................................................. 5 3. A Miscellany of facts and figures ................................................................................................. 7 3.1 Culture, diversity and its importance to citizens.................................................................. 7 3.2 Culture as an activity ............................................................................................................ 10 3.3 Culture as a market .............................................................................................................. 11 4. Summary of reports and examples of good practice ................................................................ 14 4.1 Culture as a vehicle for economic growth ........................................................................... 14 4.1.1 Defining the scope ............................................................................................................ 15 4.1.2 The economic impact of the cultural & creative sector .................................................... 16 4.1.3 Information and communications technology (ICT) and the cultural sector .................... 17 4.1.4 Heritage and economic growth ......................................................................................... 17 4.1.5 Cultural events and economic growth .............................................................................. 19 4.1.6 Cultural routes and economic growth............................................................................... 21 4.1.7 Perspectives ...................................................................................................................... 21 4.1.8 Good practices .................................................................................................................. 23 4.2 Culture as a tool for reconverting cities .............................................................................. 26 4.2.1 Defining the scope ............................................................................................................ 26 4.2.2 The diverse relations between culture and regeneration .................................................. 27 4.2.3 Recognising culture as a core component of urban renewal and development ................ 28 4.2.4 Spillover effects of culture in peripheral urban areas ....................................................... 30 4.2.5 The importance of citizen participation and rooted regeneration processes..................... 31 4.2.6 European Capitals of Culture, their positive impacts and non-confirmed expectations ... 32 4.2.7 Good practices .................................................................................................................. 33 4.3 Culture as a tool for integration and inclusiveness ............................................................ 38 4.3.1 Defining the scope ............................................................................................................ 38 4.3.2 Intercultural dialogue and migration ................................................................................ 39 4.3.3 Gender .............................................................................................................................. 42 4.3.4 Special needs .................................................................................................................... 43 4.3.5 Good practices .................................................................................................................. 45 4.4 Culture as a pillar of European Identity within Europe and beyond .............................. 48 4.4.1 Defining the scope ............................................................................................................ 48 4.4.2 The contribution of cities and regions to European identities and narratives................... 49 4.4.3 The role of cities beyond Europe as autonomous cultural policy actors .......................... 50 4.4.4 Cross-border co-operation and mobility ........................................................................... 52 4.4.5 Networking ....................................................................................................................... 54 4.4.6 Identity, European narratives and cultural rights.............................................................. 56 4.4.7 Good practices .................................................................................................................. 58 5. Reflections and recommendations ............................................................................................. 62 6. Bibliography ................................................................................................................................ 69 iv 1. Introduction The European Union is a beacon of peace, security and human rights. It looks to be a space of exchange and democratic debate, of openness and creative possibilities. Nonetheless, this study is commissioned in a context of falling popularity and a crisis of the perceived legitimacy of the European Union. Increasing nationalistic tendencies, exploited and encouraged by political movements promoting short term gain, are seen across the continent. Key values are questioned and viewed differently between European countries, but debate and exchange of these values is often lacking or avoided. In parallel, a fragmentation of the social fabric of our societies leads to a lack of participation and growing isolation. In a European Union aiming to find structural responses to these and other developments and challenges on political, social and economic levels, questions of culture, cities and identity hold key roles in finding solutions towards contemporary challenges. In view of numerous open questions and possible perspectives, the European Economic and Social Committee commissioned the present study on “Culture, Cities and Identity in Europe”. The study addresses political decision makers, professionals in urban administration and planning and cultural players alike, aiming to provide both a qualitative and