Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book introduces the practice of cultural planning, reviewing the history and evolution of this younger cousin to city planning. It looks at a number of forces and ways of thinking endemic to both planning practices. The book offers ways to think about culture and an approach useful to shaping more inclusive and equitable communities in an increasingly heterogeneous and globalized world. It reveals that the cultural sector in the United States resisted more inclusive thinking about culture, thus perpetuating an understanding of culture as Eurocentric and institutionally driven artistic practices. The book reflects on scholarship and experience related to place attachment and how the nature of places as well as behaviors of individuals are at work in forming such bonds. It offers a history, rationale, and examples for inclusion of artists as facilitators and collaborators in public engagement.