Abstract
What are creative city strategies and how can they gain a place on a municipal agenda? Using the lens of Multiple Streams’ agenda setting theory, I identify evidence of creative citybuilding and cultural policy on New York’s municipal agenda in the decade following 9/11. New York underwent a creative resurgence, wherein the creative sector was a factor in a municipal strategy for revitalization after an exogenous shock. A policy opening revealed itself, and the challenge was finding ways to bring businesses and tourists back to New York City by providing a sense of safety and security. I analyze data from 21 semi-structured interviews with policymakers, nonprofit leaders, developers, and philanthropists, together with archival and historical materials to uncover ways that creative city interventions were employed in New York. Anchoring the analysis are discussions of field building, agenda setting, the return to the city center, and facets of what I term, “urban allure.” Urban allure consists of hard factors including the cultural built environment, arts and design amenities, live/work options and opportunities for the creative class to flourish as well as soft factors, such as the ‘coolness’ of a city, its attractiveness both as a tourist destination and a draw to residents, and the numerous cultural opportunities that make an urban center vital. I discuss ways municipalities can leverage creative city tools. These findings are significant for academics and practitioners wishing to explore the use of arts and culture interventions in the fields of urban planning, cultural policy, and economic development.
Presenters
Shoshanah Goldberg MillerAssociate Professor, Department of Arts Administration, Education and Policy, The Ohio State University, Ohio, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Critical Issues in Tourism and Leisure Studies
KEYWORDS
Agenda Setting Theory, Urban Planning, Cultural Policy, Creative Cities, Municipal Economic Development, Municipal Governance, Return to the City
