Eurocities’ New Culture Manifesto
As we approach the EU elections and the formation of a new European Commission, Eurocities has unveiled a culture manifesto that places culture, heritage, and architecture at the forefront of urban agendas, emphasising their crucial role in creating more sustainable and inclusive cities.
As they point out in the document, cities are central to this initiative, working tirelessly to develop sustainable and inclusive cultural policies. Dejan Crnek, Deputy Mayor of Ljubljana and Chair of the Eurocities Culture Forum, notes that “every cultural initiative has the potential to be a catalyst for positive change“. The Eurocities Lille Call to Action, endorsed by 45 mayors, exemplifies this commitment.
On the same regard, it is widely recognised how cultural heritage policies are key in addressing climate change, social inclusion, and economic competition. Collaboration is essential to achieve these goals. Cities must facilitate knowledge-sharing and empower regions to develop innovative cultural heritage policies and projects. Local leaders are committed to enhancing resource efficiency, resilience, and inclusivity by working with citizens to understand their needs and deliver innovative solutions. These efforts will be even more effective with robust support from the EU.
Eurocities’ Recommendations for European Leaders
In their manifesto, titled A More Sustainable and Inclusive Culture Starts in Cities, Eurocities calls on European leaders to:
- Support pilot programmes: Develop innovative actions and bolster local efforts towards greener, more resource-efficient cultural policies and events.
- Mainstream cultural heritage: Integrate cultural heritage across key policies, focusing on green, social, and digital transformation to help cities tackle challenges like climate change.
- Mobilise resources: Equip cities with the tools to achieve the objectives of the New European Bauhaus, fostering sustainable, inclusive urban architecture.
- Promote long-term peer learning: Enhance city collaborations for sustainable and inclusive cultural policies, urban environments, and quality urban design.
Eurocities’ new culture manifesto is a visionary roadmap for the future, urging European leaders to support the pivotal role of cities in driving sustainable and inclusive cultural initiatives. You can read it here.