Our host Stephanie Fortunato sits down with Rana Amirtahmasebi and Jason Schupbach, co-editors of The Routledge Handbook of Urban Cultural Planning, to be released in December 2024.

The Handbook is the first survey of the latest and greatest thinking in urban cultural planning in 10 years, exploring approaches to bringing more cultural vibrancy and engagement in sustainable urban development. The book focuses on the spatial and social organization of urban spaces that facilitate artistic production, foster community well-being, and nurture expressions of civic identity.

References

• The Routledge Handbook of Urban Cultural Planning: https://www.routledge.com/The-Routledge-Handbook-of-Urban-Cultural-Planning/Amirtahmasebi-Schupbach/p/book/9781032509907
• Mark Schuster, professor of urban studies and planning, an expert on arts funding policies: https://news.mit.edu/2008/obit-schuster-0227
• UNESCO Culture in city reconstruction and recovery: position paper: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000265981
• Khaled al-Asaad, a Syrian archaeologist and the head of antiquities at the ancient city of Palmyra: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-55977964
• Buddhas of Bamiyan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhas_of_Bamiyan
• Rebuilding the Old Bridge in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina: https://whc.unesco.org/en/story-mostar-bridge/
• Roberto Bedoya, Cultural Affairs Manager, City of Oakland: https://www.oaklandca.gov/staff/roberto-bedoya

Rana Amirtahmasebi Bio

Rana Amirtahmasebi is an economic development and cultural planning strategist and researcher. She is the founder of Eparque Urban Strategies in New York and previously worked at the World Bank, Aga Khan Programme on Islamic Architecture at MIT and several other entities. https://www.linkedin.com/in/rana-amirtahmasebi-56a0667/

Jason Schupbach Bio

Jason Schupbach is the dean of the Westphal College of Media Arts & Design at Drexel University. He is a nationally recognized expert in the role that arts and design play in improving communities. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonschupbach/