Culture and Cities - what is a 21st Century city system for culture?

2,263 views · Published 19 November 2018 · 59:53 · Indexed 28 September 2026

Channel: University of Birmingham · 2018 · Education

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On 19 November 2018, Professor Gary Topp delivered his inaugural lecture as Honorary Professor of Cities and Culture at the University of Birmingham. 

The lecture explores ideas and reflections about how the cultural sector is part of a wider city narrative and its potential to be a powerful ‘placemaker’ in a world of homogenised city making.

It reflects that culture is too often placed in the second tier of city infrastructure, that it can constrain itself with its own debates about intrinsic and instrumental value, economic impact and participation and how concepts of democracy, ecology, capitalism, digital and more may or may not have a bearing on its future.

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