‘Having been one of many collaborating with Charles on this journey, I believe this publication is valuable in bringing together the many streams of thinking, exploration and practice behind the notion of a truly »Creative City».’ – Richard Brecknock, Brecknock Consulting, Australia ‘At last the comprehensive story of the creative city and the many streams of thought it inspires – by the most significant author and thinker in this space. As Charles argues, thinking with imagination and creativity is no longer a choice for cities, it’s essential for them to thrive.’ – Margie Caust, Urban Strategist ‘Now that the »shock and awe» of claim and counterclaim has blown over; an inspiring reflective synthesis of both the practices and the potentials for the Creative City.’ – Andy C. Pratt, City University of London, UK Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences and law, expertly written by the world’s leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. Written by the leading authority Charles Landry, inventssor of the concept of the creative city, this timely book offers an insightful and engaging introduction to the field. Exploring the development of the concept, it discusses the characteristics of cities, the qualities of creativity, the creative and regeneration repertoires and the gentrification dilemma. Other key topics of this definitive work include ambition and creativity, cities and psychology, digitization and the creative bureaucracy. Key features include: clear and compact style a unique survey of contemporary developments in the field provides a theoretical base for evaluating the concept of creative cities considerations of the urban-sociological context of creative cities sets an agenda for future research in the field. The Advanced Introduction to the Creative City will be an indispensable guide for scholars and students working in urban geography, urban sociology, urban planning and urban studies.