An Opportunity in the Making
The research document, "An Opportunity in the Making: Exeter & Its Creative Placemaking" by Charles Landry, explores the potential for cultural and creative approaches to placemaking in Exeter, focusing on the development of new neighbourhoods and communities. This document articulates the thinking that underpins our ambitions for the Creative Arc programme.
Culture is everywhere, it is all-embracing, it is the fabric of what we are and the air we breathe, and since it is difficult to see outside of ourselves it can appear invisible. Culture is who we are, how we behave, what we think and so shapes our mindscape and fashions the physical fabric and landscapes we build and defines our economy, our social life, our cities, our use of technology.
Placemaking is the process of turning a space into a place, like turning a house into a home. It involves all those with a stake maximizing their common shared values in establishing a place. It is more than better urban design; it aims to inspire people to collectively reimagine and reinvent where they live.
The key points from the document can be summarized as follows:
The Power of Culture, Creativity, and Placemaking: Culture, creativity, and placemaking are interconnected and offer a powerful way to create resilient and vibrant neighbourhoods and communities. These elements play a crucial role in addressing contemporary challenges, such as the green transition and sustainable development.
Exeter's Transformation: Exeter is on the brink of a significant transformation, with plans to develop 13,000 new homes and potentially 50,000 new inhabitants. This presents a unique opportunity to put Exeter on the European map. The success of this transformation will depend on the cultural and creative approach adopted.
Cultural-Driven Placemaking: The proposed approach builds upon Exeter's existing initiatives, such as Liveable Exeter and Exeter City Futures. It emphasizes the importance of culture in shaping the vision for new neighbourhoods and communities.
Five Dimensions of Cultural Approach: The document outlines five dimensions relevant to Exeter, including the need to address global emergencies, reflect Exeter's unique culture and history, encourage co-creation, involve cultural organizations in placemaking, and promote cultural activities that bring people together.
Culture-Centric Development: Culture should be central to urban planning and development rather than considered a marginal addition. It is one of the four pillars of sustainable development, alongside environmental, economic, and social sustainability.
Creativity in All Spheres: Creativity should not be limited to the arts and sciences; it can be applied in various fields, from education to healthcare, climate change, and urban design. Collaboration between different disciplines can lead to innovative and sustainable solutions.
Recommendations for Exeter
The document offers ten recommendations for Exeter, including identifying professional development opportunities, actively engaging with networks like Placemaking Europe and the European Network of Living Labs, embedding a culture unit within Liveable Exeter, establishing deeper communication with cities that have successful urban development models, and organizing site visits to inspiring places.
https://www.e-architect.com/denmark/banegraven-in-aarhus
https://www.thelocal.com/20220511/small-innovative-city-in-southern-sweden-helsingborg-tlccu/
Three Overarching Contexts: Exeter's vision should align with global agendas like the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, recognize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health, the environment, and urban planning, and adapt to the digital transformation that has accelerated due to the pandemic.
Examples of Cultural-Led Development: The document provides examples of culture-led development from the UK, Europe and beyond, showcasing the impact of culture in revitalizing neighbourhoods, fostering creativity, and supporting sustainability.
Plymouth: https://royalwilliamyard.com/
Folkestone: https://www.creativefolkestone.org.uk/
Leuven, Belgium: https://www.leuven2030.be/english
Leuven, Belgium: https://www.leuvenmindgate.be/about-the-leuven-innovation-region/creativity
Helsinki, Finland: https://forumvirium.fi/en/
Mannheim, Germany: https://musikpark.next-mannheim.de/en/ and https://c-hub.next-mannheim.de/en/
Nantes, France: http://www.cultureforcitiesandregions.eu/culture/resources/Case-study-Nantes-Quartier-de-la-Creation-WSWE-9XZHT2
Penang, Malaysia: https://thecitymaker.com.my/
International Connections: It is recommended that Exeter actively profiles itself within the places mentioned in the document to establish connections, share experiences, and find opportunities for mutual learning and inspiration.
In summary, the document highlights the importance of culture and creativity in shaping the future of Exeter's neighbourhoods and communities, offering recommendations and real-world examples to guide the city's development in a sustainable and culturally rich manner.
Charles Landry is an international authority on the use of imagination and creativity in urban change. Charles helps cities identify and make the most of their potential by triggering their inventiveness and thinking and by opening up new conversations about their future. His aim is to help cities become more resilient, self-sustaining and to punch above their weight.