A Field Guide to Tactical Heritage Urbanism Volume 1: October 2016 | Page 58

A cultural migration is
happening
in rural Canada
This process usually follows a prototyping model: ideas and initiatives
are developed, tested, applied and refined with community engagement
and input along the way. The basis for development therefore becomes
incremental, and is linked to encouraging cultural economic drivers: small
businesses, craftspeople or community initiatives that build on local
traditions, skills and opportunities which derive from the heritage of the
area – but interpret it in new, innovative ways.

Cultural Economic Drivers
are place-makers
This process usually unfolds over three stages, which form a Cultural
Economic Assessment:
1.
2.
3.

Developing: Evaluate baseline impacts (cultural and economic)
Testing: Engage to develop a vision for the community, and promote
that vision in a tangible way through a Community Build
Applying and Refining: Develop a cultural economic plan: identify
the viability of the local cultural economy

In the first stage, small undertakes a research and cultural mapping exercise, which helps identify existing cultural he ritage assets, including built
structures, resources, traditional skills, informal networks, the people and
places that express the identity of the community. Through this consultation process, residents articulate a vision of what their community can
be, based on the values and cultural heritage that it has been built upon.

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