OECD Culture and Local Development.pdf - PACA

ISBN 92-64-00990-6
CULTURE AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT
© OECD 2005
Chapter 4
The cultural fabric of cities
This chapter is dedicated to culture’s role in urban organisation. A fundamental
characteristic of today’s cities is their systematic use of cultural resources to
enhance living conditions, the environment or even their image. The cultural fabric
of a city takes on different aspects, depending on its heritage. In some cases, it
involves the institution of cultural districts. In other cases, such as cities in which
art is a dominant feature, it is indistinguishable from overall urban management.
Lastly, it can lead to the very concept of a “fantasy city”. Yet whatever the case
may be, the potential held out by culture will hinge to a great extent on how cities
can manage to cope with the associated tensions, including property speculation,
the degree of flexibility of labour markets, whether there are appropriate systems
of qualifications, and so on.
CULTURE AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT - ISBN 92-64-00990-6 - © OECD 2005 127