Shrinkage and culture as a tool to counteract it Yvonne Rijpers & Mark Verhijde

Creative economy – outline Focus of local policiesFocus of local policies Most dynamic in the worldMost dynamic in the world Fuelled by FloridaFuelled by Florida Fierce competition on a global level for creative industries and creative classFierce competition on a global level for creative industries and creative class

Creative economy – a chance? Catalyst for local economyCatalyst for local economy Creative economy as a tool to fight economic declineCreative economy as a tool to fight economic decline Example: EU ‘Cultural Capital of Europe’Example: EU ‘Cultural Capital of Europe’ However:However: Policy to ‘build’ a creative city – widely disputedPolicy to ‘build’ a creative city – widely disputed What about the competition?What about the competition?

Manchester

Liverpool

Essen

Heerlen Core of mono-functional (mining) regionCore of mono-functional (mining) region Shrinkage due to a combination of causes:Shrinkage due to a combination of causes: Economic: de-industrialization in the 1960’sEconomic: de-industrialization in the 1960’s Demographic: ageing of the populationDemographic: ageing of the population

Ageing populationAgeing population Mainly native inhabitantsMainly native inhabitants Low-income populationLow-income population Decreasing unemploymentDecreasing unemployment Flight of young peopleFlight of young people Heerlen – demography

Heerlen – culture and creative industry TNO on Southern Tripool: small & fragile base, some interesting optionsTNO on Southern Tripool: small & fragile base, some interesting options Creativity industry: 2,3% of workforce (2,9 % NLCreativity industry: 2,3% of workforce (2,9 % NL Annual growth: business 3,7%, jobs 0,7%Annual growth: business 3,7%, jobs 0,7% Heerlen: little creative clusteringHeerlen: little creative clustering Heerlen: strong in theatres, stages, eventsHeerlen: strong in theatres, stages, events Heerlen: no clear focus of creative industryHeerlen: no clear focus of creative industry

Heerlen – strategy TNO research as starting point.TNO research as starting point. Policy on creative industry with focus on:Policy on creative industry with focus on: Young ‘urban’ cultureYoung ‘urban’ culture Creative entrepreneurship and businessCreative entrepreneurship and business Cultural heritage & tourismCultural heritage & tourism Culture and citizen participationCulture and citizen participation

Young Urban Culture Attracting International Break-dance Event (IBE)Attracting International Break-dance Event (IBE) Wish to regain the educated youthWish to regain the educated youth Look & feel of city are not accordinglyLook & feel of city are not accordingly Double strategy: “They have to leave and come back.”Double strategy: “They have to leave and come back.” Research elsewhere points out: this does not happenResearch elsewhere points out: this does not happen

Creative entrepreneurship and business Facilitating artists and business with workspace and cultural-economic meeting spacesFacilitating artists and business with workspace and cultural-economic meeting spaces Municipality is ‘creative’: with permits, rules & regulationsMunicipality is ‘creative’: with permits, rules & regulations Not visible and no creative ‘look & feel’Not visible and no creative ‘look & feel’ No monitoring on effectsNo monitoring on effects

Cultural heritage & tourism Hoensbroek Castle & SnowworldHoensbroek Castle & Snowworld Cultural events; festivals and fairsCultural events; festivals and fairs Regional centre for theatres, films, musicRegional centre for theatres, films, music Mix of cultural and non-cultural attractions (IKEA)Mix of cultural and non-cultural attractions (IKEA) Too many non-cultural attractions?Too many non-cultural attractions?

Culture and citizen participation Culture ‘brokers’ for art projects in neighborhoodsCulture ‘brokers’ for art projects in neighborhoods Urban gardening on vacant lots between neighborhoodsUrban gardening on vacant lots between neighborhoods Creating sense of pride and empowerment among populationCreating sense of pride and empowerment among population

Conclusions & recommendations Culture: mainly a tool for economic regenerationCulture: mainly a tool for economic regeneration Focus: employment & tourism, not specific cultural sectorFocus: employment & tourism, not specific cultural sector Main USP: easily accessible and flexible spaceMain USP: easily accessible and flexible space Competition: no intension or strategyCompetition: no intension or strategy Policy effects: unknown – monitoring is necessaryPolicy effects: unknown – monitoring is necessary Make explicit choice for Heerlen as node of shrinking regionMake explicit choice for Heerlen as node of shrinking region