Culture is the compass and catalyst for a sustainable urban future

Bailie Annette Christie, Glasgow City Convenor for Culture, Sport and International Relations and Chair of Glasgow Life, reflects one year on from her previous Op-Ed on Glasgow’s 850th anniversary and the new European Culture Compass in her role as the Eurocities Shadow Commissioner for Sustainable Culture and Chair of the network’s Culture Forum. 

Culture is not merely an ‘accessory’ to urban life; it is a driving force for sustainable, inclusive and thriving communities. It shapes cities’ identities and builds resilience in the face of complex challenges, as Glasgow has demonstrated if not pioneered.

Over the past year, I have had the opportunity to discuss this with creatives and wider communities living and working in Glasgow, as well as across Europe, most recently representing the voice of European cities at the 2025 World Culture Forum in Amsterdam.

At the Forum, I shared a platform with Glenn Micallef, the new EU Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, to discuss ‘Culture in a Changing World,’ one of several conversations I have had the good fortune to have with him, as well as meetings with the Chair of the European Parliament Culture Committee, Nela Riehl MEP.

As Commissioner Micallef has stated, culture is a “catalyst for urban regeneration, and for the attractiveness of our regions.”  Yet, despite these words, EU policy had not kept pace. European Parliament research highlights critical gaps in how the EU integrates culture into its frameworks. To thrive, we must close these gaps. Europe and the UK must fully embrace the power of culture.

A force for transformation

The recently published Culture Compass for Europe sets out a strategy for the future of EU cultural policy – and sets this right. It builds on the strengths of European culture, including shared values, freedoms and identity, and recognises culture’s economic values. Almost 8 million people are employed in cultural and creative enterprises across the EU, accounting for roughly 4% of the EU’s working population. Scotland’s Cultural and Creative Sectors employ more than the EU27 average. Glasgow is the nation’s epicentre, employing 40% of Scotland’s CCS professionals and home to over one-third of all CCS firms (OECD, 2022).

The Compass addresses some of the most pressing challenges confronting Europe’s cultural and creative sectors and industries, from threats to artistic freedom and precarious working conditions for artists to unequal access to culture and the impact of artificial intelligence.

To respond to these challenges, the Culture Compass will guide EU policies in four directions: strengthening European values and cultural rights, empowering artists and cultural professionals and supporting people, drawing on culture and cultural heritage to make Europe more competitive, resilient and cohesive, and championing international cultural relations and partnerships.

The Compass proposes several key actions, including an EU Artists’ Charter, a new EU Cultural Data Hub, a regular EU State of Culture Report, and an AI strategy for the cultural and creative sectors.  Eurocities looks forward to working with the European Commission to turn this ambition into concrete local action.

Democracy and artistic freedom

City leaders across Europe strongly support the Compass’ focus on democracy and on safeguarding artistic freedom. The timing is apt: democracy is under pressure in many parts of Europe, and elected members are increasingly concerned about polarisation, within cities, and between urban and rural areas.

Cities have long been hubs of diversity and local democracy. More than ever, they are taking concrete action to reinforce democratic values through culture. Local governments:

• Keep public spaces open for peaceful demonstrations, performances and art installations.
• Promote inclusive cultural policies that support freedom of expression and fund local artists and grassroots projects that may not receive national backing.
• Make the most of cultural festivals, public art and exhibitions to engage citizens and spark dialogue on democracy, inclusion and justice.
• Support educational programmes that highlight the importance of freedom and human rights, building the next generation of active, engaged citizens.

The Culture Compass rightly reminds us that democracy and artistic freedom are defended every day in our cities. It is in libraries, galleries and public spaces that people learn to imagine, question and connect. Local governments are on the frontline, ensuring culture remains a space of freedom and dialogue. Our democratic future depends on empowering cities to turn these principles into action.

A call for sustainable culture

Cities are already leading the charge. The Eurocities Lille Call to Action on Sustainable Culture, signed so far by 60 European cities, outlines commitments to tackling climate change, promoting social inclusion and enhancing cultural participation.

Culture is also key to sustainability. When woven into urban planning, it enriches public spaces, encourages sustainable tourism, and brings climate action into design and heritage preservation. This not only makes cities greener but also more liveable, with vibrant spaces that connect communities.

A city that prioritises culture, heritage and architecture doesn’t just preserve its past, it builds an inclusive and dynamic future. For Europe’s cities to truly thrive, culture must be embedded at the heart of policymaking.

Openness, Trust and Tolerance.

The Lille Call pillar ‘Inclusion in culture and through culture’ chimes with Glasgow’s accolade in the European Culture Monitor as Europe’s leading city for ‘openness, trust and tolerance’. An accolade we do not take lightly; we work tirelessly to maintain it.

Like our European peers, we back the strong emphasis on promoting cultural and linguistic diversity, widening participation in and access to culture, and recognising health and wellbeing as core cultural policy goals. They also support the focus on improving working conditions in the sector.

Collaboration for a stronger future

Cities cannot drive cultural transformation on their own. They need to learn from one another. The EU should promote long-term peer learning programmes, enabling cities to share good practices, adapt successful models, and innovate together.

No city has all the answers, but every city has insights to offer. Encouraging collaboration will help develop more innovative, more inclusive, and more effective cultural policies.

This spirit of collaboration is especially urgent as cities tackle social inequality, climate change, and economic uncertainty. Initiatives that encourage cities to share experiences will generate innovative solutions tailored to local needs.

This is why I have been calling for the UK Government to rejoin Creative Europe – restoring access to this essential cultural funding and collaboration programme, which is being enhanced as part of the proposed Agora EU programme ( €9 billion for 2028–2034), and recognition of culture in the budget’s National and Regional Partnership Plans and EU Competitiveness Fund.

Today’s culture shapes tomorrow’s cities.

For cities to thrive, investment in culture is essential. This is not just about preserving the past but building a shared, inclusive future.

Sustained financial support is necessary, including innovation funding and partnerships among the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

Culture is more than a tool for social inclusion; it is also an engine for economic justice. Economically disadvantaged people must have equal access to culture, not just as spectators but as creators and participants.

Cultural sector employment can lift people out of poverty and create pathways for creative careers. Culture is not just about enjoyment; it is about opportunity and equity.

Glasgow: A cultural transformation

As one of the first European Capitals of Culture in 1990, Glasgow understands the transformative power of the title. It boosts tourism and leaves a lasting legacy of creativity and community. That is why we support Eurocities’ proposals to evolve the title, ensuring that citizen engagement is a key selection criterion.

The revamped Capital of Culture should also reflect sustainability, digital transformation and the links between culture, health and wellbeing. These are the foundations of a more connected and resilient Europe. And I believe that the UK should demonstrate it is beyond Brexit and seek to join other European cities in celebrating our links and common European heritage.

As Glasgow concludes its 850th anniversary celebrations in 2025, we invite the EU to work with cities to embrace these vital recommendations. We have recognised this in Glasgow’s Culture Strategy 2024-2030 and our Tourism Plan, Events Strategy, and International Strategy, all of which highlight the contribution of culture to the local economy.

Glasgow has also developed an International Education strategy in recognition of the barriers that Brexit has placed on youth exchanges, the climate emergency, and the global connections that make it a world-leading city. Nevertheless, the UK-EU summit on 19 May 2025 marked a long-overdue step toward rebuilding a constructive and cooperative relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union. It is clear that not being part of Erasmus+ has diminished support for education, training, youth, and sport, as well as the opportunities for young people’s personal and professional development. Fully participating in this programme would be a means of ensuring young people make connections and thrive.

Culture is not a cost – it’s an investment.

If national and supranational governments want vibrant, green, and inclusive urban environments, they must prioritise culture in policymaking.

As demonstrated by Glasgow’s Live Well Community Referral programme, these links between culture and other policy areas, such as health, should be translated at all levels. Cultural projects should also be eligible for different national and EU funding programmes outside Creative Europe/Agora EU and other culture-focused funding streams.

Culture is not a drain on public resources; it is an investment that pays dividends, including better jobs, stronger communities, and healthier, happier cities. It is a return on investment and delivers successfully on the goals of early intervention and prevention.

Glasgow not only supports calls for access to culture to be included in the European Pillar of Social Rights but also argues for its inclusion in the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Failing to seize this opportunity would mean missing out on one of our most potent drivers of transformation.

The choice is clear: invest in culture today, and cities will thrive tomorrow.