ABSTRACT

Urban regeneration is a primary concern of municipal governments as regeneration leads to further development in the community and region and attracts investment that will, in due course, provide a higher tax base (Hughes 1999, Brindley 2000). With a shift in federal policies that has decentralised responsibilities from the federal or state level to the municipal level, North American cities have become more entrepreneurial in their pursuit of growth and development. Early entrepreneurial development strategies focused on urban aesthetics as illustrated in water-front developments, flagship projects such as convention centres and sports and entertainment facilities, and the use of events for place promotion or city marketing (Hughes 1999). As a result, cultural and tourist attractions such as arenas, art galleries, and museums, are now part of the policy agenda of cities.