2007-10-25
The Arts and Cities
Suddenly cities are all the rage. After several decades of preoccupation with globalization and free trade, attention is shifting to cities as the new spawning grounds for innovative, dynamic and creative activity.
In Canada, bank presidents are speaking out about the importance of cities, newspapers are calling for a new deal for cities, and governments are producing major reports and convening conferences on cities. In United States, concerted attempts are being made to revitalize American cities after decades of decline and neglect. In Europe, competition is keen to become cities of culture and European cultural capitals. And in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, cities are growing rapidly in size, scope and influence.
Why all the sudden interest in cities? There are many reasons. More than fifty percent of the worlds population is now living in cities. In addition, more and more people are looking to cities to solve their social, economic, environmental, educational, medical and spiritual problems, as well as recognizing that it is the quality of life in cities that is the decisive factor in life. If cities lack the prerequisites for a happy, healthy and secure existence, no amount of national or international development will make up the difference. Then there is the dialectical reaction to globalization. This is manifesting itself in countervailing measures aimed at restoring peoples sense of community, identity, solidarity, and control over the decision-making processes affecting their lives. Finally, there is concern over the present state and future prospects of cities. Many feel cities lack the constitutional powers, financial resources, tax capabilities and institutional mechanisms to deal with a whole host of urban problems - poverty, pollution, homelessness, lack of low-cost housing, pressure on public utilities, declining health care services, gridlock, soaring maintenance costs, environmental deterioration, and the need for greater safety and security.
With this rapidly-escalating interest in cities has come attempts to determine what makes cities livable. Why is living in one city debilitating and degrading whereas living in another city is exhilarating and exciting?
Download: http://www3.sympatico.ca/dpaulschafer/TheArtsAndCities.pdf
Why all the sudden interest in cities? There are many reasons. More than fifty percent of the worlds population is now living in cities. In addition, more and more people are looking to cities to solve their social, economic, environmental, educational, medical and spiritual problems, as well as recognizing that it is the quality of life in cities that is the decisive factor in life. If cities lack the prerequisites for a happy, healthy and secure existence, no amount of national or international development will make up the difference. Then there is the dialectical reaction to globalization. This is manifesting itself in countervailing measures aimed at restoring peoples sense of community, identity, solidarity, and control over the decision-making processes affecting their lives. Finally, there is concern over the present state and future prospects of cities. Many feel cities lack the constitutional powers, financial resources, tax capabilities and institutional mechanisms to deal with a whole host of urban problems - poverty, pollution, homelessness, lack of low-cost housing, pressure on public utilities, declining health care services, gridlock, soaring maintenance costs, environmental deterioration, and the need for greater safety and security.
With this rapidly-escalating interest in cities has come attempts to determine what makes cities livable. Why is living in one city debilitating and degrading whereas living in another city is exhilarating and exciting?
Download: http://www3.sympatico.ca/dpaulschafer/TheArtsAndCities.pdf
An article by D. Paul Schafer, World Culture Project, Markham, Canada
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