City Renewal Authority is working to transform the precinct around City Hill. As a place of civic and cultural importance at the epicentre of Canberra and at an apex of the National Triangle, this transformation befits an iconic location and takes civic participation and the cultural economy as its centrepieces. The unabashed ambition is to create the cosmopolitan heart of our nation’s capital through the design and development a dynamic and integrated Arts, Civic and Cultural Precinct.
In recent decades the emergence of cultural precincts in cities seeking to boost their competitiveness has become a global phenomenon.* Distinctive urban places that support a rich cultural and civic life - by combining the interactions of artists and communities, contemporary facilities, and beautiful and functional public spaces and architecture - have been demonstrated to realise strategic value in defining city character and identity, acting in turn as a catalyst for urban revitalisation; attracting inward investment, knowledge workers and tourists; and building community.
In formulating a strategy to shape a new civic and cultural place, one that it is uniquely Canberran with a clearly defined identity, the Authority knows that achieving success requires more than buildings and spaces. Around the world, new trends have emerged in cultural production, presentation and engagement, leading to dynamic and dramatic changes in the way we access and experience all forms of creativity.
Digital technology is a major force for change in the creative industries, as is the rebirth of the craft and maker movements. The distinction between traditional artistic boundaries is becoming blurred. There is less distinction between visual and performing arts, formal and popular culture, and the subsidised and commercial sectors. Cross-disciplinary work incorporates and depends upon new creative and participation technologies and people now have access to many immersive and diverse cultural forms. The public realm has become critical as a platform for artistic and community expression.
To remain competitive, cultural bodies must offer experiences that are compelling and authentic. Equally the next generation of performing and visual arts places must reflect rapidly evolving creative practices and changing audience expectations.
The ACT Government is finalising a business case for a new theatre complex which, if successful, could be a major catalyst for the transformation of Canberra’s heart. The Authority believes it is critical such a significant social infrastructure investment be guided by a holistic precinct plan, which realises the synergistic benefits between the contributory elements, and which takes a contemporary approach to civic and cultural production, presentation and engagement.
This means that principles of connectedness, openness, accessibility, flexibility and multi-use must take precedence over traditional design and development perspectives. In addition, long-term return on investment and social benefits should be nurtured through the application of an appropriate whole-of-precinct custodianship that adheres to key place and heritage values and maintains a long-term curatorial oversight.
The urban renewal objectives embodied in such an approach are that the Arts, Civic and Cultural Precinct will:
The City Renewal Authority and Cultural Facilities Corporation have a common goal to see the performing arts thrive. By working together and engaging key supporters who share that ambition, the breadth of vision and the conviction needed to realise a truly dynamic Arts, Civic and Cultural precinct, will have a stronger focus. We look forward to continuing to work with the corporation to create a contemporary civic and cultural precinct that positions Canberra firmly on the global map of creative cities, creating a legacy for generations to come.
* In 2012, the City of London published Cultural Metropolis, the Mayor’s cultural strategy for London. The Strategy was informed by the World Cities Culture Report, 2012, which benchmarked London against 12 other world cities and provided an evidence base for the cultural strategy recommended by the City in Cultural Metropolis. The World Cities Culture Report clearly showed that a distinctive London culture was as important to the economic success of the City as were finance and trade.
We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.
