Dissertation Research

Creative placemaking is a cultural planning approach that utilizes local arts and cultural assets for revitalization. In the governance of creative placemaking, citizens are important stakeholders representing regional characteristics. An arts district is a popular form of creative placemaking to bring back community and economic vitality in abandoned areas. Columbus, the capital of Ohio, has built two distinctive arts districts: Short North Arts District and Franklinton Arts District to rebrand these neighborhoods and accelerate economic development. Both arts districts were initiated by collaboration with residents, local artists, and community leaders. The primary goal of the arts districts is to support local artists, businesses, and residents who contribute to the unique sense of their places. Active citizen participation is imperative for preventing gentrification and cultural assimilation, in that governance requires an understanding of local needs and building a solid strategy to flourish the arts district.

Although many creative placemaking projects have invited citizens as contributors, there has been a lack of assessment to evaluate their participation level in creative placemaking. Citizen participation embodies not only visiting the arts district but also involving in the decision-making of creative placemaking. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought arts and cultural sectors challenges in building their relationship and engaging with broader local communities. Understanding the needs of their communities would have been helpful for arts district sectors to continue their businesses.

Ultimately, this study will identify citizens’ barriers to participating in the decision-making process of creative placemaking, find an opportunity to increase citizen participation in public administration, and provide policy recommendations to reinforce the sustainability of the arts districts. The research will contribute to establishing a horizontal network between arts districts and citizens while also prospering regional economy and community vitality.