This book offers a scientific analysis on the realities, tensions, and ambivalences of the cultural and creative quarters in the context of the contemporary city. These quarters are a hub of artistic, cultural, and creative dynamics, networks, venues, and activities in cities. Born spontaneously, they are now used by public authorities as a tool for urban change and tourism promotion of urban spaces. There are many issues at stake: first, artistic creation, access to culture for all, and social cohesion; second, atmosphere, image, and attractiveness of cities; third, gentrification, inequalities, and social fragmentation. Cultural and creative quarters are genuine laboratories for the micro-scale analysis of urban societies and their main challenges.

The book provides critical theoretical and empirical insights into the role of arts, culture and creativity in the post-industrial city, drawing on international case studies from Paris to Shanghai, Montreal and many others around the world.

This book is intended for researchers, teachers, students, cultural players, urban planners, public decision-makers and, more broadly, anyone interested in urban issues, the future of cities and the role of arts, culture and creativity in urban spaces.

Basile Michel is Professor of Geography at Cergy Paris University (since 2019) and a member of the PLACES and ESO research centers. He completed his PhD dissertation at the University of Angers between 2014 and 2017 and held the position of Associate Professor at the University of Ningbo in China in 2018. His research focuses on the links between art, culture, creativity, and cities. He is the author of numerous scientific articles on cultural and creative quarters.