With reference to examples drawn from Europe, Australia, Asia and North America, and utilizing an innovative framework that combines the methods and insights of sociology, geography and cultural policy studies, this book critically examines creative city initiatives in a range of national and international contexts to develop a novel and challenging perspective on the contemporary 'city of culture'.

Introduction. Part I 1. Culture 2. Citizenship 3. Place Part II 4. Creative Nations 5. Assets, Ambience and Amenity 6. Creative Cities on the 'Margins' 7. Beyond the State? 8. Culture, Place and Citizenship. Bibliography

Deborah Stevenson is Professor of Sociology and Urban Cultural Research in the Institute for Culture and Society at the University of Western Sydney, Australia.