The future is not some place we are going to, it is one we are creating now – created first in mind and then activity. During the Helsinki Summit, policymakers explored how cultural vision produced today will influence the cities of tomorrow and importantly, its impact on people place and planet.

The relationship between cities and people is changing, and so is the idea of how people not only consume but use culture to change the way they live. Without city vision, there is no city progression. And without culture we lose the beating heart of our cities.

“Culture has an important role to play in the health and vibrancy of our cities.”

Justine Simons, Chair, World Cities Culture Forum

Culture has a new role to play.

Covid-19 has fundamentally shaken the way people work, the way they live and the values they hold. As we renew our cities following the pandemic, we also have the opportunity to reimagine; who cities are for, what they are now and how they operate.

What does culture need for the long-term? What tools do we need? How much we rethink both the physical and intangible infrastructure that hold culture in our cities? And who we we balance our future vision with urgent immediate needs?