INSTITUTIONALISATION OF CULTURE-LED STRATEGIES IN REGIONAL POLICIES: THE CASE OF PLANNING REGIONS OF LATVIA.

In Latvia, many of recent cultural activities have been established and developed as a response to decreasing of economic activities as well as shrinking processes of population and institutions in rural territories. The aim of the paper is to analyse the development strategies of five planning regions of Latvia in order to examine the role of cultural resources and activities in terms of regional development. The paper consists of the theoretical review of culture-led strategies as well as the content analysis of actual planning strategies of five planning regions of Latvia. Qualitative approach of content analysis is used in the examination of current planning documents of regional development. The main results of the research reveal that culture in itself is considered an important part of regional development, however, more in terms of entertainment and consumerism. Cultural resources are seen as attractive resource for tourist attraction and making environment appealing for the creative class. Rebirth of old crafts and products is highlighted as a significant part of culture-led strategies. Relatively higher level of the usage of cultural resources is described in a planning region where culture is seen as an integrated part of economic, environmental and social activities. The analysis of the institutionalization of culture-led strategies in planning documents in Latvia helps to understand both regional policies and social processes in regions. The usage of culture-led strategies varies from mechanical and likely isolated approach to an integrated and systemic approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]