Creative Copenhagen: Globalization, Urban Governance and Social Change

ANDERS LUND HANSEN, HANS THOR ANDERSEN and ERIC CLARK

The introduction of ‘creativity’ and the ‘creative city’ in imagineering Copenhagen and in strategies for developing its urban competitiveness is analysed from a perspective on relations between processes of globalization, developments in urban government/governance and social geographic change. This perspective problematizes what on the surface seems to be an unequivocally positive quality (‘creative’) and goal (‘creativity’). We argue there is a need to recognize the social costs of developments that are glossed over by the creative city rhetoric, including diminished representative democracy, social and geographic polarization and considerable displacement of the marginalized.

read more

Brands in Copenhagen, photo by {Guerrilla Futures | Jason Tester}

More brands in Copenhagen, photo by Tartanna

Some readings about Copenhagen:

Where’s Low Carbon Transport in Post-Copenhagen Pledges?

Do We Really All Have To Live Like New Yorkers? Does Density Matter?

Copenhagen – city of cyclists!