Policy Press

Beyond the Neoliberal Creative City

Critique and Alternatives in the Urban Cultural Economy

By Robert G. Hollands

Published

Oct 15, 2024

Page count

244 pages

ISBN

978-1529233131

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press

Published

Jul 26, 2023

Page count

244 pages

ISBN

978-1529233124

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press

Published

Jul 26, 2023

Page count

244 pages

ISBN

978-1529233148

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press

Published

Jul 26, 2023

Page count

244 pages

ISBN

978-1529233148

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press
Beyond the Neoliberal Creative City

A buoyant, creative economy can be seen as the saviour of many cities, but behind such ‘urban makeovers’ lie serious problems such as widening inequalities, job precarity, gentrification and environmental issues. In light of the pandemic and climate crisis, how well are city economies, based largely on culture, nightlife and tourism, meeting basic societal needs?

Blending lively case studies of alternative cultural practices and spaces with broader theoretical debates, this book explores the opportunities for a more just and sustainable urban future.

“A lively, well-grounded, helpfully polemical review of the arguments around and beyond the creative city. The book addresses anyone concerned for the cultural future of cities.” Malcolm Miles, writer on critical theories of culture and society

“This book comes at a turning point in thinking about culture and cities. Robert Hollands looks at what comes after the creative city, and gives us a vision of a new arrangement of urban cultures for a more turbulent and contested era.” Justin O’Connor, University of South Australia

“An eloquent guide to the four decades of damage wrought by neoliberal urbanism. Yet, amongst the ruins, Hollands finds a path towards a more just, joyful and sustainable creative city.” Mark Banks, University of Glasgow

“In this concise, conceptual and convincing takedown of the creative city and its suffocating injustices, Hollands presents a wonderful kaleidoscope of alternative and diverse urban imaginaries that are doing creativity differently.” Oli Mould, Royal Holloway, University of London

Robert G. Hollands is Emeritus Professor of Sociology in the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology at Newcastle University.

1. Neoliberalism, Creativity and Cities

2. Urban Entrepreneurialism: The Emergence of the Cultural Economy

3. Critiquing the Neoliberal Creative City: But Long Live Alternative Creative Spaces!

4. Urban Cultural Movements and Anti-Creative Struggles

5. Neoliberal Nightlife and its Alternatives

6. Rethinking the Tourist City: Contestation and Alternative Cultural Tourism

7. Creative Polarization, Division and Exclusion

8. Beyond the Neoliberal Creative City