Urban regeneration is framed as a culturally-driven process that prioritizes local agency, sustainability, and inclusive development. Culture is not treated as an accessory or decorative element but as a strategic resource for reimagining cities, enhancing social cohesion, and stimulating creative economies. The emphasis is on place-based policies that integrate heritage, artistic expression, and participatory governance into the fabric of urban transformation. Cultural infrastructure—both tangible and intangible—serves as a catalyst for regeneration when it is rooted in local knowledge and community participation. Projects that respect cultural diversity, memory, and identity tend to produce more resilient, equitable urban environments. Conversely, regeneration without cultural sensitivity often leads to displacement, gentrification, or the erasure of local narratives. The approach calls for cross-sectoral collaboration between culture, education, housing, urban planning, and environment. It proposes frameworks for mapping cultural assets, investing in local capacities, and measuring the impact of culture on wellbeing and spatial justice. Importantly, it reframes the city not merely as a site of growth, but as a commons—a shared space where cultural rights and urban rights intersect. In this vision, regeneration is not about returning to a former state but about co-creating futures rooted in memory, participation, and sustainability.
UNESCO (2016). Culture: Urban Future – Global Report on Culture for Sustainable Urban Development. Paris: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
