Approaches to cultural indicators

Culture is increasingly being recognized as the key to sustainable economic and social development. Sir Peter Hall, in his book Cities in Civilization, has mentioned that culture, technology, and order will bring the ‘‘coming golden urban age’’. This highlights the recent prominence that culture is receiving in research circles as a tool for urban development. Incorporation of culture and cultural heritage in planning and development frameworks, however, depends upon how cities identify, assess, clarify, and prioritize issues, and build consensus for and mobilize the active participation of the various actors and stakeholders. Cultural indicators can help in this process to assist cities to incorporate cultural aspects into overall and sectoral development policies and strategies