Cultural Dynamism and Business Vitality in Medium-Sized Cities—Evidence and Proposals for Sustainable Development

Abstract

This work uses tools recently designed to conduct analyses and proposals around the cultural development of medium-sized cities. The Cultural and Creative Cities Monitor model, or CCCM, is first applied to the 81 cities in Spain with between 50,000 and 100,000 inhabitants. We also refer to the UNESCO Culture/2030 Indicators, specifically indicator 8 (Cultural companies), to investigate whether cultural dynamism is related to business vitality in those cities. Our observation of the 29 CCCM indicators and the C3 index, which synthesizes cultural performance, is explained, and these data are complemented with cultural business data (on assets, benefits, and jobs) from a sample of 13,204 firms. The C3 index values reveal significant differences in the cultural and creative performance of the selected cities according to their location (metropolitan or non-metropolitan) and their administrative rank. Moreover, when comparing the C3 index with the indicators on business activity, evidence indicates a clear positive relationship between cultural dynamism and firm vitality. These results support the contribution of culture to the sustainable development of medium-sized Spanish cities and further establish the suitability of the tools used to assist cities in designing appropriate cultural policies.

A local and territorial approach to the operation of the culture economy in medium and small cities: case study of the Spanish cities of Mérida and Cuenca

“…Indeed, certain advantages of medium and small cities in some crucial aspects have been the subject of quantitative analyses carried out by both the European Commission and the Joint Research Center (European Commission, 1019;Montalto et al, 2017) in the Cultural and Creative City Monitor (CCCM). Similar analysis is found in an equivalent effort by Cultura y Territorio research group (Escalona-Orcao et al, 2021b) focused on all Spanish cities with between 50,000 and 100,000 inhabitants. While large metropolitan areas may have clear advantages in those aspects most directly related to the creative economy, cities of smaller demographic scale may still compete in an acceptable way in terms of cultural vibrancy and in certain resources linked to the endowment of cultural and natural heritage (Escalona-Orcao et al, 2019;Escalona-Orcao et al, 2021a;Montalto et al, 2019).…”

“…An interesting aspect observed in results from the earlier quantitative approach is the scant statistical relationship found between the aspects integrated under the banner of 'cultural vibrancy' ('cultural venues and facilities'; 'cultural participation and attractiveness') and those of the 'creative economy' ('creative and knowledge-based jobs'; 'intellectual property and innovation'; 'new jobs in creative sectors'). Also notable is the very reduced weight that this 'cultural vibrancy' exerts in the behavior of a city's culture economy and in the development of potential cultural clusters (Escalona-Orcao et al, 2021b). At minimum, we find no direct and mechanical relationship between the two aspects.…”

“…Nonetheless, in recent years, academic interest has grown in the cultural economies of urban models other than the dominant globalized ones, whether due to the demographic weight of marginalized cities or from a geographical, economic, political, or cultural point of view (Montalto et al, 2019). From this interest have emerged a significant number of monographs and joint publications that seek to adapt existing theories or to produce new ones for these previously overlooked urban models (Barrado-Timón et al, 2020;Bell & Jayne, 2016;Escalona-Orcao et al, 2015, 2021a, 2021bFreestone & Gibson, 2006;Kresl & Ietri, 2016;Lorentzen & van Heur, 2013b;Richards & Duif, 2018). This new scientific interest has confirmed success stories of cultural production in medium and small cities (Denis-Jacob, 2012;Erickcek & McKinney, 2006;Escalona et al, 2016;Evans & Foord, 2006) and has launched the express consideration of specific territorial factors of this Boletín de la Asociación de Geógrafos Españoles, (92)…”

“…This inherited patrimonial endowment, often specified in non-modifiable elements such as the specific location or weight (cultural, economic, political, etc. ) enjoyed by the city in the past, is also the most often mentioned factor in the case of medium and small Spanish cities (Barrado-Timón et al, 2018;Barrado-Timón et al, 2020;Escalona-Orcao et al, 2021b;Boal & Herrero, 2017;Escalona-Orcao, 2017;García García et al, 2012;Guerrero & Navarro, 2012;.…”

“…Regarding the Spanish bibliography (apart from that already indicated for the international), specific references can be found to: the potential of medium and small cities to generate or retain cultural economic activity based on aspects including the existence of advanced public services, or of companies able to attract certain cultural sectors (Barrado-Timón, 2013;Prada-Trigo & Méndez, 2010;Plaza, 1999); the effect of capital-city status on a regional scale, insofar as Spain operates on a model of significant political and institutional decentralization (Barrado-Timón et al, 2018Escalona-Orcao et al, 2021b;Barrado-Timón & Vázquez-Varela, 2014;Boal & Herrero, 2017;Caravaca Barroso et al, 2013;Gámir, 2005;García García et al, 2012;Guerrero & Navarro, 2012;Méndez et al, 2012;; and the intra-metropolitan dispersion of certain sectors, particularly the audiovisual sector (Barrado-Timón et al, 2018;Barrado-Timón et al, 2020;Gámir, 2005;Méndez et al, 2012;. On top of the above-mentioned factors, which may well explain the success or failure of certain medium and small cities, both the size (demographic, economic, political, etc.…”