Of City Vibrancy, Character of Place, and Cultural Exchange: An Attempt of Integrating Culture and Art with Urban Development?

  • Mark Anthony M. Morales UP School of Urban and Regional Planning

Abstract

Can culture and art assist in facilitating development within our cities? This article seeks to answer this question by observing, documenting, and comparing data sets that show the benefits of promoting culture through artistically-hinged spatial developments which is believed to supplement a cities’ long-term competitiveness. Results of this study point towards the emergence of dynamic spaces of cultural exchange wherein an improvement in life vibrancy in cities is promoted; creating spatial magnets of activity and diversity which, aside from cultivating character of place and a rich array of social activity prospects to benefit people, also suggests the advancement of commerce due to the intensified presence and patronage of consumers in a cultural area that creates opportunities for such endeavors. Collected data also shows the emergence of collaborative partnership opportunities between government, the private sector, and civil society in promoting participatory strategies of urban development. All in all, this article seeks to suggest that by dovetailing culture and art with established development policies, the process of making our cities more dynamic, more competitive and culturally-enriching places to live and work in is reinforced; marking an improved quality of living that facilitates interaction and exchange among people within their built environments.

Keywords: culture and art, city competitiveness, urban development, creative capital, urban regeneration, mix-use development.

Author Biography

Mark Anthony M. Morales, UP School of Urban and Regional Planning
Assistant Professor at the School of Urban and Regional Planning in University of the Philippines in Diliman. 
Published
2014-05-22