query: research on beauty and economy

Mon Apr 7 08:50:14 CDT 2008

[ed:  more from Richard]

From: Richard Layman <rlaymandc at yahoo.com>

I go back and forth with regard to community efficacy theory vs. broken 
windows theory.  Probably, the theories are reciprocal, not 
oppositional.  I'm surprised that there was a positive link between 
aesthetically quality environments  and reduced crime.  I used to 
believe in this, until I observed other factors (spatial, road traffic 
patterns, etc.).  The street one over from where I lived for 15 years 
had a beautiful tree canopy, incredible, one of the best in the 
neighborhood.  But because of the SES distribution of the residents, two 
one-way east west streets, it being one way for 6 blocks, and 3 other 
one way, one block streets, it was the relatively worst street by where 
I lived, worst being defined as one experiencing murders on an annual 
basis, drug dealing, loitering, and other crimes.

People might be interested in a blog entry I wrote about this kind of 
stuff about 3 years ago, entitled Urban Health, Nasty Cities, Broken 
Windows, and Community Efficacy:

http://urbanplacesandspaces.blogspot.com/2008/01/urban-health-nasty-cities-broken.html

My sense is that controlling for certain factors, in particular spatial 
organization (i.e., see the work by Oscar Newman, _Defensible Space_, 
etc.) and some basic equilibrium of income, there is probably a positive 
association

Some research showing the link between tree cover and retail sales and 
retail rents, is cited in this blog entry: 
http://urbanplacesandspaces.blogspot.com/2005/08/marketing-commercial-districts-with.html

Richard Layman
urbanplacesandspaces.blogspot.com

Discussion list for COMM-ORG wrote:
> --------
> This is a COMM-ORG 'colist' message.
> All replies to this message come to COMM-ORG only.
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>  
> [ed:  thanks to Richard,  Judy, and Chris for responding to Laurel's query.]
>
> From: Richard Layman <rlaymandc at yahoo.com>
>
>
> "aesthetically-beautiful communities" is tough because it's such a broad 
> question.
>  
> Harvey Molotch's book comparing Ventura and Santa Barbara gets to this, 
> but he's a sociologist, not an economist.  But I only skimmed some of 
> the sections of the book: Building Rules: How Local Controls Shape 
> Community Environments and Economies, which is based on the arguments 
> from the seminal article "City as a Growth Machine," and the book that 
> followed _Urban Fortunes: Toward a Political Economy of Place_.
>  
> The University of Florida Law School Center for Government 
> Responsibility has done a thorough report on the value of historic 
> preservation (as have many other states, from NYS 
> www.preservenys.org/economicbenefits.htm e.g., and Donovan Rypkema has 
> authored _Economic Benefits of Historic Preservation_, published by the 
> National Trust for Historic Preservation), as well as a follow up report 
> that looks at the "Contribution of Historic  Preservation to Quality of 
> Life in Florida."
>  
> The latter report is broken down into chapters, based on quality of life 
> indicators, and analyzes the contribution of historic preservation, 
> heritage tourism, museums, and historic and affordable housing.
>  
> http://www.law.ufl.edu/cgr/
>  
> The person who has written perhaps the most about the impact of the 
> aesthetic environment on cities (signage, etc.) is Ed McMahon, formerly 
> of the Conservation Foundation, now a fellow at the Urban Land 
> Institute.  But I haven't seen quantified studies.
>  
> He has had a number of pieces in _Planning Commissioners Journal_, a 
> publication intended for a citizen-lay audience: 
> http://www.plannersweb.com/links.html.
>  
> For a study I just did for Downtown Brunswick Georgia, even though it 
> wasn't technically part of the scope, we spent quite a bit of time 
> analyzing and commenting on the aesthetic environment outside of 
> Downtown, to wit the main roads leading to downtown, recommending urban 
> design and signage guidelines and the consideration of infrastructure 
> investments, because even though the Downtown is beautiful, getting to 
> it is not.
>  
> Note that Olmstead wrote about the contribution of investment in parks 
> to increased property values back in the 1870s.  I know there is 
> research in the park field about this, but that's not my area so I don't 
> have cites off the top of my head.  If you have a land grant college in 
> your state, there is probably a natural resources/recreation dept. with 
> a professor who would have a good handle on it.  Similarly, there are 
> positive findings with regard to proximity to transit and the value of 
> residential and commercial property.
>  
> I mentioned Ed McMahon.  I've only seen him speak once, but he was 
> excellent.  If you can, I'd bring out Mayor Joseph Riley of Charleston.  
> He's the best speaker probably out there, someone who is a mayor, on the 
> value of aesthetics to community building and the local economy.  (He 
> spoke in Tulsa and the Arch. Foundation there has a copy of his speech.  
> It used to be online, but is only accessible through archive.org now,)
>  
> Another resource is the Mayor's Institute on City Design 
> (http://www.micd.org/), but they limit their participation to _mayors_ 
> which I think can be a problem when you need broader buy in.  And if you 
> need a great training, I always recommend the Project for Public Spaces 
> (www.pps.org).
>  
> Other resources:
>  
> -- Creating a Vibrant City Center, Cy Paumier, ULI.  He has a great 
> presentation too.
> -- Cities: Back from the Edge by Roberta Gratz, Wiley -- my saying about 
> this book is that if you have time to only read one book, this is it, 
> because it's very accessible with case studies, and is kind of a primer 
> based on Jane Jacobs
> -- Cities in Full by Steve Belmont, Planners Press -- the best book in 
> planning for cities since Jane Jacobs (in my opinion) but a bit more 
> technical, not about aesthetics at all
> -- Urban Design Compendium -- published by English Partnerships, 
> available for free from their website -- practical, focused on design
> -- PPS has good articles on their site, including one called "Pride of 
> Place" from _Governing_ magazine, as well as many in their online 
> monthly newsletter called "Making Places"
>  
> Richard Layman
> Citizens Planning Coalition, DC
> and for profit consulting associate, Economic Development Visions, 
> Washington, DC
> member, National Main Street Center, Project for Public Spaces
>
> ************************************
>
> From: "Judy Schroeder" <Judy.Schroeder at metrounitedway.org>
>
> I remember research a number of years ago that concluded that within
> low-income neighborhoods or public housing developments, criminal
> activity was lower where there were shade trees growing.  Could this
> have been some of Felton Earls' community health research? Definitely
> suggested an aesthetic to reducing crime.
>
> Judy Schroeder
> Vital Neighborhoods Team
> Metro United Way
> Louisville, KY
> w/ (502) 292-6127
> c/ (502) 296-5056
>
> *********************************
>
> From: "Chris Cavanagh" <story at web.ca>
>
> While i haven't looked that closely at the following, i suspect there's 
> much good stuff to inform your thinking on "beauty and economy:
>
> Works of Heart
>
> New Creative Communities
>
> Arlene Goldbard's work is very worth reading (this book began as 
> Rockefeller-funded research). And check out Community Arts Net as well: 
> http://www.communityarts.net/index.php
>
> I would also include in thinking about "beauty and economy" things like 
> In the Heart of the Beast and Bread & Puppet. While these might not, on 
> first glance, be thought of in "economics" or "public space" frames, i'd 
> suggest that they are actually successful examples (economically, 
> socially and politically) of mobilizing beauty.
>
> years ago i visited Ivanhoe, West Virginia with some folks from 
> Highlander where i met the great and memorable Maxine Waller. Noticing 
> some puppet heads on a shelf in the community development office i asked 
> about  them and learned that they were built as part of the CED work 
> with someone who had worked with Bread & Puppet.
>
> peace
>
> chris
>
>
>
> Discussion list for COMM-ORG wrote:
>   
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>> This is a COMM-ORG 'colist' message.
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>> [ed:  please feel welcomed to copy COMM-ORG with replies to Laurel's query.]
>>
>> From: "Laurel Opgaard" <laurel_dti at sbcglobal.net>
>>
>>
>>  
>> Has anyone got, or ever seen a study showing the correlation between
>> aesthetically pleasing communities and positive economic growth?  I am in
>> the process of beginning a public art program for our downtown and need to
>> find information to pass along to an 'artistically challenged' group of
>> community leaders.  I think hard numbers would very likely be the most
>> persuasive argument to woo them over to my way of thinking, and hopefully
>> funding for my project.
>>
>> Laurel Opgaard
>> Project Coordinator
>> Downtown Topeka, Inc.
>> 515 S. Kansas, Suite A
>> Topeka, KS  66603
>> 785.234.9336 voice
>> 785.234.4448 fax
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