Description

In the last decade, the cultural and creative sector has been a central topic on the agenda of researchers and policymakers alike. Some argue that the sector has responded exceptionally well to the changing economic reality. Others are more critical and point to the potential harmful social, economic and political consequences of such an urban development model. Brussels is a particularly interesting case study in this regard, because the 'superdiverse' city seems to have become a center of attraction for international artists and 'creative' people, while also being characterized by a divided landscape of cultural, institutional, and policy actors that is almost impossible to navigate. Nevertheless, local policymakers do not hesitate to publicly promote the importance of a flourishing cultural and creative sector for Brussels. This book brings together different case studies that document how the Brussels cultural and creative sector relates to the demographic and political diversity of the city.