Jordi Pascual
Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Estudis d'Arts i Humanitats, Department Member
Since the turn of the new millennium, cities have been at the heart of initiatives to include culture in sustainability planning and policy discussions, and are linked to the rise of a new, emergent model of sustainability, informed by... more
Since the turn of the new millennium, cities have been at the heart of initiatives to include culture in sustainability planning and policy discussions, and are linked to the rise of a new, emergent model of sustainability, informed by UNESCO's statements on the contributions of cultural diversity to sustainable development, the recovery of historical and culture-specific approaches and worldviews, and local-level community development trends. Operationally, this new paradigm is being advanced through a wide range of grassroots, varied, and experimental initiatives, rooted in a pervasive and heightened concern for grassroots public participation. Arguing that the ingredients needed to fully elaborate and impose it are all in play, the chapter describes how the United Cities and Local Government's Agenda 21 for Culture is playing a leadership role as an international connector in this regard and discusses the ways in which this Agenda is addressing the challenge of aligning efforts and advancing new thinking globally.
Research Interests:
Examining “why must culture be at the heart of sustainable urban development?“, the paper strongly contributes to the acknowledgment of culture as a central element in the paradigm of sustainable cities. Inspired by the three models for... more
Examining “why must culture be at the heart of sustainable urban development?“, the paper strongly contributes to the acknowledgment of culture as a central element in the paradigm of sustainable cities. Inspired by the three models for Culture and Sustainable development, the analysis clearly shows that “there are multiple ways of viewing culture’s relationship with sustainability, and [that] myths about culture present obstacles to fully integrating culture into urban development planning and strategies.”
Culture should be fully integrated in urban development planning, while taking care that it is not “made invisible” in this process, the study says. “The distinctive features and benefits of cultural expressions, activities, and a diversity of approaches must be appreciated and nurtured, and culture and cultural heritage conserved and safeguarded through informed, intelligent, and sensitive cultural policies”.
Alongside the global conversation on sustainable development, and the approval of the new “Habitat III” urban agenda, this Culture 21 policy paper brings important reflections on myths, counter-narratives, but also challenges and recommendations on the role of culture in sustainable development. It reminds local governments of their responsibility in facilitating this specific equilibrium between integrating culture in urban development, while appreciating it as a whole and recognizing its belonging to citizens and communities.
(from CultureActionEurope NR)
Culture should be fully integrated in urban development planning, while taking care that it is not “made invisible” in this process, the study says. “The distinctive features and benefits of cultural expressions, activities, and a diversity of approaches must be appreciated and nurtured, and culture and cultural heritage conserved and safeguarded through informed, intelligent, and sensitive cultural policies”.
Alongside the global conversation on sustainable development, and the approval of the new “Habitat III” urban agenda, this Culture 21 policy paper brings important reflections on myths, counter-narratives, but also challenges and recommendations on the role of culture in sustainable development. It reminds local governments of their responsibility in facilitating this specific equilibrium between integrating culture in urban development, while appreciating it as a whole and recognizing its belonging to citizens and communities.
(from CultureActionEurope NR)