The production of events in cities as a strategy for local and urban development

Abstract

During the last decades, cities are increasing the organization of events as a way of gaining attractiveness, promoting local economic development, and increase their competitiveness. Economic impact is usually the main motivation for the production of events, but urban managers should also keep in mind that the organization of festivals, fairs, parties, competitions and other celebrations may have some other important social effects. The role of events is reviewed in this paper as strategic instrument that favor the creation of social capital, social leverage and the reinforcement of collective identity, elements that can be included as arguments for the design of local policies of urban development and as ways to improve social dynamics and the improvement of the quality of life of the local community.

Keywords: events, social impact, local development, urban policies.