Cities and Languages : Governance and Policy – An International Symposium

Proceedings of the international symposium, “Language Planning in Capitals and Urban Environments,” held March 25–26, 2010 at the University of Ottawa, with sponsorship from the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute, Canadian Heritage, the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages and the City of Ottawa. The Language Planning in Capitals and Urban Environments Symposium brought together administrators and researchers from Canadian and European cities to discuss language planning in urban environments. Two important concepts emerged from the proceedings: municipal bilingualism as an asset that deserves to be promoted, rather than merely a question of regulation; and bilingualism as a symbol of openness and inclusion that cities can use to advantage to distinguish themselves from their competitors.