PRINCIPLE 6: CULTURE AND IDENTITY

TCWNN HAS A STRONG SENSE OF PLACE AND HAS ROOM FOR DIVERSE IDENTITIES.

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1.TCWNN has a multifaceted identity made up of diverse neighbourhoods and peoples who consciously seek ways to share a common sense of place. It recognizes culture as a vital contributor towards human dignity and values diversity as a source of creativity, growth and learning in a knowledge economy. It recognizes and celebrates the culture and traditions that are practiced by marginalized and minority communities including ethnic and religious minorities, migrants and refuges, while supporting cultural evolution in order to ensure quality and equity for all regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, or other elements of human identity.
2.It functions as a resilient learning community that responds to changing needs of its population in the context of an ever-changing world. It strengthens its relationship with surrounding rural regions, recognizing the valuable resources rural areas provide for urban inhabitants. It develops local solutions to urban challenges through the use of local culture and heritage, local skills and materials and local knowledge.
3.TCWNN respects and safeguards its material and immaterial heritage and recognizes historic heritage buildings and urban landscapes, in a dynamic and evolutionary perspective looking at cities as stratified urban fabrics.
4.TCWNN looks at heritage not just nostalgically but in an evolutionary and innovative sense. When done well it celebrates the evolving nature of modern cities when it cherishes the value of indigenous knowledge, culture and perspectives. It recognizes the importance and role of art in creating uniquely distinguishable and aesthetically pleasing places and that different forms and means of expression all have a place in the city. Human beings are connected to places via their senses.
5.TCWNN recognizes the importance of sensory stimulation and beauty to sense of place and wellbeing. It designs urban public and natural spaces to actively promote aesthetic experiences. It enables people, especially poorer communities, to claim ownership of urban spaces and use them to contribute to a shared experience and to enhance a sense of achevement and belonging.

6.TCWNN uses art in all of its forms as a creative means for all citizens to design, explore and experiment with new urban paradigms.
7.TCWNN lives in the present time and welcomes new cultures and expressions.