The role of creative and tourism economies in tackling/reproducing urban and regional inequalities (original) (raw)

2022, GOLD VI Report on Pathways to urban and territorial equality

Based on research conducted for the UCLG Committee on Culture, an extension of the analysis of the links between culture, creativity and tourism in the city of Lisbon was made post-Covid-19. Prospering is based on the sustainability of the cultural ecosystem of a city/territory. The loss of heritage, memory, identity and knowledge that allows people to give meaning to a place, as well as to build individual and collective identity and sense of belonging, leads to imbalances that can accentuate inequalities within and between cities, affecting all dimensions of sustainable development. Lisbon (Portugal) is resolving this conflict creatively with an inclusive and rights-based approach, which can be inspiring for cities that are starting to plan or reorienting development strategies linked to culture and tourism. The city is implementing a strategy focused on improving the experience of visitors and the quality of life of inhabitants, as well as the sustainability of the city’s cultural system, heavily hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Measures emphasize the role of cultural actors and sectors in empowering plural and caring communities, boosting access and engagement, tackling inequalities and building the capacities to shape a new future in the shared city. Among those measures, “Lojas com História” stands out as a project that addresses the conservation and revitalization of urban spaces that significantly contribute to the cultural and economic development of Lisbon. The original UCLG report on Culturl Policy and Tourism in a range of cities in Europe and North America can be downloaded from https://www.academia.edu/38111048/Cultural\_policy\_and\_tourism\_in\_cities