While the concept of urban resilience can be seen to have its roots in ecological systems research, i.e. the notion of how to make the ecological environment resilient and adaptable to change, it has grown to include social and economic systems of which organised events are significant elements. Common through the discussion in looking at urban resilience is a focus on the involvement of communities, i.e. as active citizens. Learning, cultural and sport activity are important components of interaction to facilitate the building and belief in citizenship. Wiederhold (2013) reflects on the potential of local arts festivals in cities to be learning demonstrations of civic engagement. More recently, other forms or organised information sharing communities and structured social gathering (face-to-face and online) are also accepted as accomplished actions of civic engagement (Robertson, 2016, 2020).

This blog is a response to understanding and sustaining socio-cultural development and emotional experience through existing and new event form in the existing urbanised, urbanising and de-urbanising world in which people live (or are moving from/to) and to which people visit. I will be contributing to this on an ongoing basis. Some of this discussion has emerged out of the 6 years of research that formed my (successful) PhD submission in 2016, ‘Sustainable festivals and events – an inquiry of leadership and futures’. But the work has continued, utilising multi-disciplinary primary and secondary resources. I look forward to contributing to this area of research, discussion and resolution.  All communications on subject(s) are welcome.

Associate Professor Martin Robertson, Business School, Edinburgh Napier University, UK*

& Adjunct Associate Professor, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia*

*please note that my dialogue here should not be read as representing those of my employer or any other organisation that I represent in a professional capacity

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton