The origins of the intercultural city concept The concept of the
Intercultural City originated with the British think tank
Comedia. In 2004, with support from the Joseph Rowntree
Foundation, Comedia conducted a two year research programme
entitled 'The Intercultural City: Making the Most of Diversity'.
Its aims were to: consider the extent to which cultural
diversity is a source of innovation, creativity and
entrepreneurship and how this can become a positive force
releasing new energy and resources for the development of
cities. understand how the combination of different cultural
skills and attributes leads to new and divergent thinking and
what are the conditions that most encourage this. explore the
extent to which increased intercultural dialogue, exchange and
activity is the catalyst for this process. seek to understand
the role of intercultural networks and intermediary change-
agents, finding out who they are, how they work and what are the
conditions which either encourage or hinder them. explore the