Diversity & Integration
Diversity & Integration
Leicester is known for its diverse population and the integration of residents from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. Addressing inequalities and celebrating cultural diversity are essential components to regeneration activities within the City.
A city is made up of innumerable minority interests, needs, preferences and abilities. Planning, designing and constructing to reflect this broad diversity presents a sustainabilty challenge. Exclusion has its costs also, and the costs, which may be many and various - both social and economic, bear on every sector of society.
The City of Leicester and its partner organisations are committed to creating:
- A regenerated city with inspiring, attractive and functional offices, shops, homes, public buildings and green spaces.
- A vibrant city with exciting cultural opportunities such as theatres, cinemas, cafes, galleries, sports facilities and public spaces.
New developments within the City will play an important role in helping to achieve this.
In 2001 Leicester developed a 5-year Cultural Strategy and from that set up a 50-strong Cultural Strategy Partnership. This unites organisations from the public, private, community, voluntary and education sectors with the common purpose of improving Leicester's cultural life. The Strategy explains that Leicester wants to be seen as a place where:
- cultural diversity is seen as an overwhelming strength and defining characteristic
- cultural difference is celebrated, traditions are respected and opportunities to develop culture are embraced
- first class cultural facilities are accessible to all, and
- access to cultural activity and freedom of cultural expression are seen as basic human rights.
These aspirations need to be fully integrated into how we develop the physical fabric of the City.