Culture and cities: The challenge of tourism

Globalization has dramatically changed the city’s role in economic and cultural production, and tourism has played an important role in this process. But as tourism becomes an increasingly central part of a city’s economy, conflicts with the cultural and material needs of its residents emerge. Today, polls place tourism as the second-most cited cause for public concern among Barcelona residents after unemployment. What impact does tourism have on contemporary cities? What are the implications of a tourist economy for the culture of the city?

Lecture by David Harvey, distinguished Professor, Department of Geography, Graduate Center of the City University of New York.

Presented by Cristina Riera, member of the Management Team for the L'Alternativa Festival.