Assessing a place in cultural planning: A framework for American local governments

Abstract

In the last 30 years, numerous studies have sought to define cultural planning. A common theme that emerges is the emphasis on the need to create a planning process for "placemaking" purposes. However, the definition of what a place is remains vague. Using administrative boundaries, this study draws a framework that formulates an operational definition of place that helps to connect spaces to empirical data about their cultural resources and residents. The focus on administrative boundaries is particularly relevant to understand American cities whose territories have a tangled morphology. Using Geographical Information System, this framework is then applied to assess the current situation in Madison, Wisconsin. The results suggest that the use of this framework could help policy makers to assess the texture of their territory in its administrative, cultural and social dimensions.

Is culture-led redevelopment relevant for rural planners? The risk of adopting urban theories in rural settings

“…It has been claimed that currently we are in the midst of a long-term 'hype' in which culture is regarded as a key driver of urban development (Kovacs 2011, McDonough and Wekerle 2011, Redaelli 2013, Sacco and Crociata 2013, and in which cultural planning 'provides a new or different lens for looking at the community, its issues and concerns' Legacies Now 2010.…”

Participatory knowledge co-production to activate culture in the development of small cities and rural areas in Portugal

“…Place can be defined as a set of material and social practices that enact a location (Cresswell, 2006). Researchers have been exploring place-based approaches from different perspectives, including the role of place in cultural participation and creative place-making (Gilmore, 2013) and the assessment of place for cultural planning purposes (Redaelli, 2013).…”