Keywords
Cultural regeneration, impact research, cultural value,
cultural policy, major events, city branding
Expertise
Cultural regeneration initiatives – which can range from
large-scale events to the creation of iconic buildings (such
as the Guggenheim in Bilbao), or creative clustering within
neighbourhoods – are increasingly regarded as a catalyst
for social and economic change, creating jobs, attracting
tourists and providing opportunities for new investment.
The University is a key player in researching the
relationships between cultural policy, urban renewal,
regeneration and inclusion. We are dedicated to
researching the impact, legacy and wider values
associated with culture-led regeneration initiatives. This
research helps to explain the value of arts and culture –
to present clear arguments about how cultural activity can
make a difference to urban environments, communities
and businesses.
Recognised as a national and international centre of
excellence on cultural regeneration, the University is building
on the experience of hosting a major research programme
(
Impacts08) that researched the multiple-impacts of
hosting the European Capital of Culture in Liverpool.
Impacts08, which ran from 2005 to 2010, allowed us to
make progress in several debates and test a wide range
of methodologies.
The collaborative research model (The Liverpool Model)
developed by the Impacts08 programme is now
celebrated as best practice for the evaluation of large-
scale arts and cultural programmes. It is used across
the UK and internationally as a cultural policy impact
assessment framework and a point of departure for local
authorities who are planning culture-led programmes,
reminding policy makers of the different dimensions that
need to be covered to achieve their objectives.
We host a range of institutes, research centres and
networks dedicated to researching the impact, legacy
and wider values associated with culture-led regeneration
initiatives.
Following on the work of Impacts08, the University
has established the Institute of Cultural Capital, a
strategic collaboration between the University of
Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University
(
LJMU). This represents a significant portfolio of arts
and cultural research shared by academic centres
of excellence, including Liverpool School of Art and
Design at LJMU and the Departments of Architecture,
English and Music at the University of Liverpool.
The Institute supports and undertakes high-quality,
collaborative and interdisciplinary research into all
aspects of culture and its value in contemporary
society. We focus on the impact of cultural
initiatives (from one-off events to embedded, city-
wide community strategies and activities) and on
regeneration and the wellbeing of citizens.
The University’s Culture and Creativity Network is an
interdisciplinary research group engaged with answering
questions such as: what is the nature and value of
creativity? How does creativity drive or influence art,
culture, innovation and wellbeing? Since its inception in
2010
the network has become an information hub for
cultural events and activities and has nurtured relationships
with a variety of the University’s cultural partners.
See:
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The London Organising Committee for the Olympic
and Paralympic Games appointed the University
of Liverpool to conduct the London 2012 Cultural
Olympiad legacy evaluation; an exercise that will in-
form future priorities for key Olympiad stakeholders
such as the Arts Council England, the British Council
and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.
The London 2012 Cultural Olympiad is the largest
cultural celebration in the history of the modern
Olympic and Paralympic Movements.
Applying the Liverpool Model helped to document
and assess the Cultural Olympiad’s hosting process
and its affect on the city’s economic, social and
cultural aspirations. London is aware of what was
achieved in Liverpool in 2008, and of the methodo-
logies that were established to assess it. This helped
the team behind the Cultural Olympiad to prioritise
its objectives in a way that is as comprehensive and
holistic as possible. The research will help to capture
their experiences and provide indicators that make
the Cultural Olympiad event more sustainable.
Capabilities and facilities
•
Services: major event research, cultural policy impact
analysis, cultural legacy analysis and planning
•
Facilities: online data archives, specialist websites,
reports / documentation on key research
•
Techniques: media content analysis, cognitive
mapping, economic modelling, ‘Wheel of Wellbeing’.
Relevant centres and groups
•
Institute of Cultural Capital
•
Centre for Architecture and the Visual Arts
•
Institute of Popular Music
•
Culture and Creativity Network.
Society & Culture
168
2.
Culture and regeneration
APPLICATION AREAS
•
Arts and leisure
•
Creative industries
•
Information and communication
technology (ICT)
•
Society and community
•
Sustainability
For further information
on all our specialist
centres, facilities and
laboratories
go to page
179
