Abstract

The notion of the creative economy has gained cognisance in many countries over the last decade as part of strategic urban revitalisation and marketing frameworks. Culture-led urban regeneration has been instrumental in many European cities for recapturing investment, rejuvenating built environments and as a transformation mechanism for a transition towards a skills base more in tune with the knowledge economy (Landry et al. 1996; Gomez 1998; Miles 2005). This progressive change has been exemplified by visionary policies introduced by cities such as Glasgow, Seoul, Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai, where the creative industries played a key strategic role. Following a review of the cultural regeneration policies and practices adopted in the United Kingdom (UK) and Singapore, with particular emphasis on the strategic role of the arts and culture, this study explores cultural regeneration practices in London and Singapore with particular emphasis on the balance between social and economic needs building on previous research by Kong (2000, 2009) and Miles (2005).