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23 Types of City Culture

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City culture are aspects of life in a city that people enjoy and regard as valuable. Culture emerges over the history of a city as a result of the shared experiences of its residents. A city may have more than one culture. For example, a cosmopolitan city can be viewed as a patchwork of super cultures, subcultures and traditional cultures. The following are the basic types of city culture.

Language

The languages used by residents including any variations that are unique to a city. A cosmopolitan city typically has a great number of ethnic neighborhoods where different languages thrive. It is also common for a city to have its own dialect of a dominant language.

Gastronomy

The culture of food production, selection, preparation, presentation, service and appreciation that exists in a city. For example, a city that has its own unique form of cuisine.

Fashion

Fashion including street fashion and elements of the fashion industry in a city. For example, a city with a well known fashion week and neighborhoods that are known for their street fashions.

Norms

Norms are informal understandings that guide behavior such as norms of politeness. These are often specific to a culture and city. For example, a norm of standing on a specific side of an escalator so that people can walk.

Pastimes

Modes of recreation and enjoyment including holidays and traditions.

Symbols

Iconic visual scenes and other symbols of a city's identity.

Legend & Myth

Old stories that aren't true but nonetheless serve to bond people by giving them colorful narratives that are unique to a city. For example, the myth that the Louvre is haunted by a mummy known as Belphegor based on the 1927 horror novel of the same name by Arthur Bernede. There is also a local myth that the Louvre was build for the devil and that its glass pyramid has 666 tiles.

History

The history of a city. For example, Kyoto was the Imperial capital of Japan for more than one thousand years and has a long history of cultural development, political intrigue, natural disasters, fires and war.

Knowledge

Local knowledge such as how to haggle with local vendors.

Architecture

The architecture a city including traditional, modern and night architecture.

Urban Landscape

The urban design of a city such as a city that has emerged in a chaotic way such that streets are narrow and random or a city with clear structure.

Products & Services

Unique products and services such as a city known for its cafes and desserts.

Markets

Markets and other commercial areas that have a stimulating atmosphere.

Public Space

Public space such as parks, natural areas, public squares and beaches that provide space for recreation, play, socializing and personal reflection.

Sports

Local sports teams that unify locals towards a common purpose and local sports leagues that allow people to play and participate.

Festivals & Events

Local events such as a traditional festival or community event.

Night Economy

Businesses that offer things to do at night such as theatres, night clubs and cafes.

High Culture

Culture that is accepted by institutions as being of the highest art such as fine art or the opera.

Pop Culture

Popular culture such as movie theatres, video game arcades and theme parks.

Subculture

Subcultures such as a neighborhood known for its music scene or cosplayers.

Traditional Culture

The traditional cultures of a city such as a cosmopolitan city with many ethnic neighborhoods.

Epic Meaning

Epic meaning is the sense that you are part of something big and positive such as a city that views itself as a capital of commerce, art, entertainment and night life.

Anomie

Anomie is a sense of normlessness that can be described as a lack of culture such that individuals enjoy no sense of common identity and purpose.
Overview: City Culture
Type
Definition (1)
Aspects of life in a city that people enjoy and regard as valuable.
Definition (2)
A way of life and meaning that unifies residents of a city with a sense of shared identity.
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Centralization
Cities
Civic Duty
Civilization
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Community
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Consumer Society
Culture
Culture Lag
Decorum
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Media Freedom
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Power Distance
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Resilience
Responsibility
Rights
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Social Capital
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Social Constructs
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Traditions
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Upward Mobility
Working Class
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