Cultural Tourism and Urban Revitalization

Abstract

Many old industrial cities of the United States are in an economic decline, facing high unemployment, an eroding tax base, and in some cases, fiscal collapse. Responses to this situation range from 11th hour labour concessions to attempts to attract newer forms of light industry. An interesting alternative response is the transformation of inner city cores from sites that are merely old to time with “historical significance.” This paper chronicles a case of urban revitalization in northeastern Pennsylvania where cultural tourism has begun to reshape the local economy. In recent years, the Lehigh Valley has created historical zones and launched two major arts festivals. The paper describes some of the initial social and economic results accruing from the creation of the new culture industry.