The value of data: why cultural asset mapping is helping Austin become more inclusive
Project: using mapping to inform the cultural strategy ‘Thriving in Place’
The Purpose
With no previous record of cultural assets in the city, this data is critical for city planning. There was no understanding of where culture is consumed, such as venues, theatres and cinemas, or where culture is produced, like artists’ studios and rehearsal spaces.
The Challenge
Urban public policy design in the cultural context is becoming increasingly important in cities. This project will help bridge the gap between cultural assets and their spatial distribution throughout the city and better understand the cultural landscape to make it more inclusive and accessible for all citizens. Lack of data and mapping regarding the location or spatial distribution of culture means that city policymakers can’t protect cultural assets, for example, from rapid development. Data also enables policymakers to plan and cultivate culture across the city through evidence-based research.
This community-led approach has allowed the dataset and the resulting policies to define cultural assets in a more diverse and nuanced way, going beyond conventional venues and activities.
The Solution
CAMP (Cultural Asset Mapping Project) was designed for community members to submit any place or resource they identified as having cultural or creative value to them. This community-led approach has allowed the dataset and the resulting policies to define cultural assets in a more diverse and nuanced way, going beyond conventional venues and activities.
With information gathered through CAMP, the City aims to integrate Austin’s creative sector into city planning initiatives, the development of Capital Improvement Projects, and larger economic development strategies. This will ensure that the arts and creative sectors remain significant players in Austin’s ongoing development.
The Impact
As part of CAMP, the Cultural Arts Division created ‘Thriving in Place’, a report aimed at exploring the City’s role in addressing the challenges involved in creating and retaining cultural spaces. The report sets out strategies to capture real estate value created by cultural spaces to ensure that they remain accessible to people from all backgrounds. CAMP and ‘Thriving in Place’ will offer insights and a model for other world cities facing similar challenges.
Source: World Cities Culture Report 2018
Images Courtesy Getty/Canva, City of Austin
