CREATIVE CITIES: THE ROLE OF CULTURE Presentation by Robert Palmer to the Department of Canadian Heritage

Abstract

Robert Palmer has worked with many European cities to develop cultural strategies and policies. In many cases, these have aimed to reposition the particular city both nationally and internationally as well as focusing on local and regional issues such as the development of cultural industries, cultural tourism, creativity and social inclusion. In his presentation to the Department of Canadian Heritage, Palmer addressed four topics: the historical background to current national cultural policy; the development of interest in holistic cultural planning; the international focus on creativity and creative development; and the trend of harnessing culture for economic development.