Generating culture : roots and fruits

Publication was inspired by a symposium dedicated to the theme of 'Creative cities', on the 21st of February 2002 in Amsterdam, initiated by the Deltametropolis Association and Forum, the strategic think-tank of the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment. Main topic was the process of urbanisation, and the public policy challenge to guide this process. And the question what makes cities become prominent and glorious, what makes it end and what is it that sets in the decline. Can public policy really steer the process? Publication contains the opening speech by Job Cohen, the lectures by Jonathan Israel 'The Conditions for Creativity, Prosperity and Stability in the Cities of the Dutch Golden Age' and Sir Peter Hall 'The creativity of Cities. An idea whose time has come' and the discussion after the lectures. Also a report of the evening programme, 'The magnet effect laid on: invest in chance', Two articles: 'The reinvention of the Dutch city' by Dirk Frieling and 'Creative Cities!' by Zef Hemel.