Urban Economy: to Promote High-quality Urban Development with Culture as the Fulcrum

This paper explores the functions of culture in the high-quality development of cities during the era of rapid urbanization and globalization, highlighting the challenges cities face, including economic and cultural homogenization, and emphasizing the importance of preserving cultural heritage. The paper discusses four key functions of culture: shaping urban characteristics, driving economic development, acting as a catalyst for environmental protection, and fostering social harmony. Through a case study of the city of Guangzhou, researcher demonstrates how cultural policies and activities can enhance a city’s competitiveness and social cohesion. Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods, the study finds that Guangzhou’s emphasis on Cantonese culture significantly help with its unique identity and economic vitality. The paper concludes that culture is necessary for sustainable urban development and recommends that governments prioritize cultural policies to achieve balanced growth across economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Despite its insights, the research acknowledges limitations, such as non-random sampling and the focus on a single city, suggesting areas for future study.