MWDigest (September 2017) - Municipal World's monthly digital digest by Municipal World

September 2017

Inside the September 2017 issue of

E B I R BSC

Access great feature articles like these, plus our must-read regular columns each month!

CONTENTS

SEPTEMBER 2017 volume 127, number 9

MUNICIPAL WORLD – CANADA’S MUNICIPAL MAGAZINE

ARTS & CULTURE

CULTURAL ECONOMIES

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE

INFRASTRUCTURE

HORTICULTURAL

11 STUDENT WELLBEING 13 APPRAISAL 101 15 A PRIMER ART for 150

TEENY TINY MOVEMENT BRINGING “PUBLIC” INTO PUBLIC SPACES

NOW

17 21

AUTOMATED

VEHICLES 25 RURAL

ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT

MEASURING WHAT

MATTERS MOST

TAX SALE

ADMINISTRATION

& EQUITY

THE REGULARS COMING EVENTS

7, 12, 14, 39

CONNECTING THE DOTS EDITOR’S CORNER

ENVIRONMENTAL ZONE GOVERNANCE ZONE

MANAGEMENT ZONE

MWDigest is a monthly digital publication, highlighting and supplementing content available to Municipal World magazine subscribers. For information on advertising and submitting content for this publication, please contact Anthony Gibbons at 1-888-368-6125 ext. 206.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

SEPTEMBER 2017

Editor’s Corner ARTS & CULTURE

Belonging is not only important to our communities – it is also important to our health. Municipalities would be wise to take note of recent reports that have shown a strong correlation between arts and culture in a community and a sense of belonging.

Appraisal 101

For the majority of municipalities, the appraisal of real property is often outsourced to third-party appraisal firms who have the expertise needed for specific assignments.

Bringing the “Public” into Public Spaces

Online Exclusive! Editor’s Flashback This online-only feature column highlights select articles from past issues of Municipal World’s monthly print magazine. In this issue, we share “The Power of Stories” – by Greg Baeker and Dave Brown, from the September 2010 issue.

Coming Events

GETTING

CITIES RIGHT

by GORD HUME

“The importance of cities has never been more apparent; the problems confronting cities never more serious; and the opportunities for urban success never more possible.”

NEW BOOK

Susan M. Gardner

Since launching our annual culture issue in 2003 (long-time readers might remember the City of Red Deer’s Canada Day celebrationfeatured on the cover), Municipal World has published dozens of culture-specific articles across what is now the 15th iteration. Our goal each year is much the same: to celebrate important elements of Canadian culture – while also highlighting important takeaways that are relevant for municipalities. It is our privilege to be able to share the unique and diverse stories of communities from across Canada, while drawing on ideas and best practices from around the globe. We take special pride in showcasing the importance of arts and culture in communities – from Charlottetown, PEI to Stratford, Ontario, to Trail, BC, and many in between. As Frédéric Julien discusses in his article this month (opposite), arts and culture are more than “nice-

CEO, EDITOR & PUBLISHER – SUSAN GARDNER, MPA, AMCT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

CONTENT & DESIGN

VICE PRESIDENT, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

EXECUTIVE COORDINATOR

ANTHONY GIBBONS SR. BUS. DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE

REBEKAH RICKWOOD

KIM COSTA ASSISTANT EDITOR

DAN SCHEID CREATIVE CONTENT DESIGNER

IVAN WIMBUSH DIRECTOR, DATA & LOGISTICS

JAMES WILSON DIRECTOR, CIRCULATION

KEN SEGUIN

ADMINISTRATION ACCOUNTING & ADMINISTRATION

RITA CROCKER

PRESIDENT – NICHOLAS R. SMITHER, BESc

to- have” amenities in a community. They have an important role in shaping our sense of belonging and wellbeing. And, they can also generate economic development opportunities. (Liz Huff’s article on page 17 in the September issue of Municipal World highlights how small communities are working to build a “Teeny Tiny” movement, using culture as an economic driver to attract visitors and new residents to those places.) Reflecting on some of the common themes over the years, it is clear that “culture” is not something that is defined by and exclusive to the largest and most populous urban centres. Regardless of size, each community has the opportunity to develop and leverage those things that make it authentic. Whether the discussion is on building a local brand, enhancing economic development, or making an impact on citizens, culture remains an essential asset for unlocking and sustaining community vitality.

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Arts and Culture Key to Building Belonging It stands to reason that the shared experience of the arts provides a common ground for social interaction. One also could claim that art programs and facilities contribute to building a greater sense of belonging to our communities, to our country, and to each other. But, do we know for sure? A national report, released in April by Community Foundations of Canada and the Canadian Arts Presenting Association, shored up this widely-held belief with hard evidence and provided a roadmap to deepening sense of belonging through arts and culture. Vital Signs: Arts & Belonging looks closely at how arts and culture, in all forms, make our communities better places to live by helping people to better understand their

identity and connect through shared arts experiences. The report draws on community knowledge, a range of social science, government and local data sources, and a deeper analysis of responses from a 2015 cross-country survey conducted with the Angus Reid Institute that asked Canadians what it means to belong and be involved community activity.

What is belonging? Simply put, belonging is being part of a collective “we.” It’s about fitting into a place or group, and how much that place or group welcomes and includes us. A sense of belonging is important to build safe, vibrant communities, and it brings purpose to our lives. Belonging also directly impacts our health. People who report a strong sense of belonging to

their community are significantly healthier. On the opposite end of the spectrum, loneliness is as damaging to our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Currently, 38 percent of Canadians report a weak sense of belonging to their community, due in part to the persistence of discrimination and social isolation. FRÉDÉRIC JULIEN is Director of Research and Development at the Canadian Arts Presenting Association (CAPACOA). His various volunteer engagements include: co-chair of the Canadian Arts Coalition, board member of Arts Health Network Canada, and chair of his neighbourhood association in Gatineau. Frédéric recently co-authored two research reports: Digitizing the Performing Arts and Arts and Belonging. He can be reached at <Frederic.julien@capacoa.ca>.

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Figure 1

Attendance at live music & sense of belonging to city/town

35% 47% 42%

44% 23% DO NOT ATTEND

31%

DO NOT ATTEND REGULARLY

ATTEND REGULARLY

Somewhat strong sense of belonging Very strong sense of belonging Recent Findings Here are a few of the report’s positive findings: Seventy-seven percent of Canadians agree or strongly agree that arts experiences help people feel part of

their local community. This is especially true for newcomers and people in minority-language communities. Regular arts attendees are three times more likely than non-attendees to feel this way.

Canadians who regularly attend live music have a much stronger sense of belonging to their city or town. The same is true of frequent library goers. Canadians who rate arts, culture, and leisure in their city or town as “excellent” are nearly three times more likely to report a “very strong” sense of belonging. This link is particularly strong in rural areas and small villages. The quality of cultural and recreational programs is also a predictor of sense of belonging among Canadian-born and immigrant populations in mid-size cities. The report also highlights some areas for improvement. While almost all Canadians say that performing arts facilities are important to wellbeing and economic development, more than half suggest that arts facilities in their community could use an upgrade, both in quantity and quality. These sentiments are especially pronounced in Indigenous, rural, remote, and minority-language communities. The good news is that phase two of the federal government’s infrastructure plan provides municipalities with the means to make up for the shortfalls. The 2017 budget invested $300 million over 10 years for the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, as well as $1.3 billion for cultural and recreational infrastructure as part of the bilateral agreements.

Recommendations for Municipalities The report also outlines a number of recommendations to help people of all backgrounds feel more connected to the arts and build bridges between communities. The following recommendations may be of particular relevance to municipalities.

Strengthen public policy, planning, and funding Municipal planners and policy makers must understand and value the many benefits that artists, arts organizations, and events bring to the community. Recognizing that a vibrant arts community is key to attracting and retaining people in 8

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September 2017

the community – and in building belonging – arts and culture need to be fundamental components of city planning. Arts vision, strategies, priorities, and programs must be developed with community experts and practitioners. Long-term funding is needed to sustain high-quality arts programs and facilities. Finally, municipalities should collect data on arts activities and outcomes at a local level. As noted by the Conference Board of Canada in a 2008 report on the creative way: … culture [should] be elevated from its undervalued, peripheral role in urban planning to a central force in shaping the growth of cities … the existence of culture clusters or niche concentrations of culture industries are generally considered to be important indicators for creative cities … [and] viewed as magnets for talent. (from, “Valuing Culture: Measuring and Understanding Canada’s Creative Economy.”)

Support high-quality arts experiences This research establishes a clear relationship between excellent arts and culture in the community and greater belonging. It suggests the need to focus not only on attendance or number of activities, but also on the quality of the experience. Objective indicators of quality are regularly used by arts funders, but they may not be easily accessible to municipalities. Short of such indicators, municipal authorities may defer to grant decisions by provincial and federal funders as an assurance of the quality of local artists and arts organizations.

Offer participatory arts programs Community-engaged arts foster interpersonal connections between participants, with lead artists, and with the community. When community-engaged arts programs beautify the community through murals, mosaics, or installations, pride of place can also flourish. The <artbridges.ca> and <artsengage.ca> websites are two good resources to explore

THE ACCERTA DIFFERENCE We understand our government partners expect value and outcomes-based analytics in addition to effective healthcare programs and services. Since 1959, our reputation has been built on trust, integrity, and service excellence. Accerta is your partner in administering government-sponsored social benefits. We help build healthy, sustainable communities by facilitating accessible dental, vision and health care to lowincome individuals, families, and seniors. We are experts at ensuring governments are served with customized, flexible, health and dental, social services benefit plans and related services. As a social enterprise, we strive to provide Canadian communities with the reliable services they need to improve access to healthcare, raise social standards, and build sustainable and progressive programs that benefit the environment and society at large.

See How We Can Help. Call,

1-800-505-7430 www.accerta.ca

September 2017

MWDIGEST

Whether on stage, in the audience, or in the community, we now know for certain that participation in the arts leads to a greater sense of belonging. the range of community-engaged arts practices in Canada. Associations such as the Creative City Network of Canada and Les arts et la ville regularly explore community-engaged practices in their publications and at their national events. Porch View Dances, by Kaeja dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Dance, is a particularly holistic example of a community-engaged offering. Taking dance out of the theatre and into neighbourhoods, Porch View Dances engages real people, in real spaces, making dance accessible to the families who perform in it, as well as the audience members who come watch. Community-engaged arts programs deliver profound benefits to participants. These programs, however, offer few earned revenue possibilities for artists and arts organizations, and they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be scaled without financial support. This is an area where municipalities could step in.

the community, we now know for certain that participation in the arts leads to a greater sense of belonging. The arts are a catalyst for renewed cultural connection and understanding in communities across Canada.

Use the city as a stage Site-specific performances, art walks, and neighbourhood arts impact how people relate to familiar spaces, create a sense of place, and foster a sense of attachment and belonging to the community. These activities are most often not ticketed, and cannot be sustained without public support. Municipalities should collaborate with local artists and arts organizations to program arts activities outside of traditional facilities.

Open arts facilities to the community The foyers of performing arts venues are often underused during the day and could be used for non-arts programming provided by community and neighbourhood associations, or offered as co-working space. Libraries have made this shift and are becoming even more important community hubs.

Catalyst for Renewal As the research in this report shows, whether on stage, in the audience, or in 10

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September 2017

Municipalities may use this new knowledge in a transversal manner to inform policy development in multiple areas: public health, settlement, social development and, of course, culture. MW

Presented by Appraisal Institute of Canada

APPRAISAL 101 What you can expect from an Appraisal Report

For the majority of municipalities, the appraisal of real property is often outsourced to third-party appraisal firms who have the expertise needed for specific assignments. This article provides a brief outline of the different components and methodology of an appraisal report, to help provide the context for making real estate decisions within your municipalityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s real property portfolio.

Valuation Methodologies

conditions that may impact the value, and more. It is imperative to list all essential components of the appraisal in this section to avoid any confusion about expectations.

Important Elements within the Valuation Process

There are several key elements of the valuation process. One of the most important elements is the data used to Terms of Reference of the arrive at an opinion of value.The type Appraisal Assignment and extent of research and analysis in an At the beginning of each appraisal appraisal assignment includes, but is not assignment, one of the most important limited to: the degree to which the propaspects is to clearly define the terms of erty is inspected or identified; the extent reference that outline the scope of work. of research into physical or economic The terms of reference for the appraisal factors that could affect the property; assignment should be in writing and the extent of data research; and the type agreed to by the parties prior to the asand extent of analysis applied to arrive at signment to avoid any misunderstanding opinions or conclusions. or additional work to amend the valuaThere are many other components tion report. of the valuation process, such as: real The typical terms and conditions will property ownership and interests; bundle of rights; taxation; expropriation; and include items such as appraiserâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s client, highest and best use, to name a few. It is purpose of the appraisal assignment, intended use of the appraisal report, asimportant that municipalities familiarize sumptions made in the analysis, limiting themselves with the valuation process to ensure that nothing is missed. While it is reasonable to assume that a third party For more in-depth discussion, see the Appraisal will properly provide great services, unInstitute Guide to Understanding the Fundamenderstanding the various elements within tals of Real Estate Appraisal <www.aicanada.ca/ the valuation process will ensure that no wp-content/uploads/AIC_Industry_Guide_Engstone goes unturned. lish-2014-02-12.pdf>.

When it comes time to assess the value of a property, it is important for municipalities to understand the different applicable valuation methods. The goal of any valuation is to ensure the most precise and fair value is assigned to a property. To guarantee the most accurate valuation, the appraiser will rely on a number of different approaches. Direct comparison approach â&#x20AC;&#x201C; When the direct comparison approach is used, the appraiser analyzes completed sales, listings, or pending sales of properties that are comparable to the subject property. Estimates of market rent, expenses, RICHARD COLBOURNE, MA, AACI, P.App. received his AACI in 1994 and has specialized in property tax assessment, valuation, and consulting. He has held leadership positions in property assessment and taxation with a municipality and two provincial governments. He had long career with the Government of Canada including experience as a Senior Real Estate Advisor, Regional Chief Appraiser, and most recently Regional Manager of the Payment in Lieu of Tax Program for Atlantic Canada. He has a broad knowledge of the valuation of all types of residential, multi-residential, commercial, industrial, and special purpose properties. He is currently the Senior Director Valuation, Property Tax and Training with Young and Associates Real Estate Appraisals and Consultants Ltd. with offices in Bridgewater and Truro, Nova Scotia.

September 2017

MWDIGEST

land value, cost, depreciation, and other value parameters may be derived using a comparative technique. Comparable sales analysis can provide information used in the other approaches such as overall capitalization rates for the income approach or depreciation estimates for the cost approach (discussed below). Income multipliers, capitalization rates, and yield rates are applied in the income approach, but appraisers extract such rates and factors from comparable properties in the direct comparison analysis. Cost approach – The cost approach considers the land and building components separately, and reaches a conclusion by adding these estimates together to help form an overall opinion of value. Like the direct comparison approach, the cost approach is based on a comparison of the cost to replace the subject (cost new) or the cost to reproduce the subject (substitute property). The total cost estimate is then adjusted by deducting the accrued depreciation in the subject property. Land value is also estimated and added to the building value. Income approach – Income-producing properties are typically purchased as investments and the earning potential is an important element affecting the

value. Through the income approach, the appraiser analyzes a property’s capacity to generate income and the net income contributes to the value. In estimating the market value of an income-producing property, the appraiser analyzes the income and expenses of the comparable rental properties to estimate a stabilized level of net income. All three valuation approaches (direct comparison approach, cost approach, and income approach) require the collection of comparable data. The decision to inspect comparables and the extent of verification of data will be determined by the scope of the work or Terms of Reference identified at the beginning of the assignment. Taken together, the various approaches allow the appraiser to determine an accurate and unbiased opinion of value. The final result may be a single amount or a range of values as of a specific date.

Property Inspection An inspection is just one of the many tasks performed by an appraiser. An appraiser prepares a building description by considering a variety of specific information and must be familiar with the structural details of the exterior and

A RURAL LENS

ON IMMIGRATION A captivating examination of immigration in rural Canadian towns – sharing essential components for smaller communities to consider in attracting and sustaining meaningful settlement of newcomers.

interior of the building that will influence value in the marketplace. In addition to understanding the dynamics of the real estate market, appraisers designated by the Appraisal Institute of Canada also have construction skills and knowledge, which are fundamental to their training. Members also rely on the expertise of industry professionals where building characteristics are more complex.

Benefits of Third-Party Appraisers This brief overview of the valuation process underscores the complex – and detailed – work that appraisers are tasked with providing for municipalities. It is extremely important that the expectations and requirements are presented upfront when hiring a third-party appraiser. This will ensure a positive working relationship with all involved. Furthermore, it allows for a detailed understanding of how the process will look, and allow for a higher comfort level in knowing the job will be done correctly. Third-party appraisers are in a better position to offer professional services that benefit all parties involved when everyone better understands the valuation process. 

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MWDIGEST

September 2017

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eFocus is North America’s preeminent publication on municipal assessment & taxation, written for tax professionals - from expert to student - in local government, provincial and territorial agencies (such as assessment and appeal boards), legal ﬁrms, private tax and appraisal ﬁrms, politicians, and education facilities.

Regular feature columns include: Coast to Coast to Coast – news briefs from Canada & U.S. N

That's an Idea! – ideas, policies and practices to adapt to save and increase tax revenue

PUBLISH ED BY

Legal Briefs – summaries of interesting cases Disaster Mode – increasing ramifications on valuation & tax revenue Resources – books, articles, reports Payments in Lieu of Taxes – PILTs Foreign Affairs – world jurisdictions adopting or modifying systems LUQs – Largely Unasked Questions you might want to ask Transitions – appointments, job openings, company news Calendar – professional development Book Reviews – snappy at 500 words, by (you and) your colleagues Credo – essayed opinions by (you and) your colleagues: submit to editor@municipaltaxation.com Factoid – compelling facts & figures And more!

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Published by Municipal World 14 MWDIGEST September 2017

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Presented by Rick Hansen Foundation

Bringing the “Public” into Public Spaces

Would you want to live in a house that only met minimum code requirements? If all you had was code minimum, you’d have a bathroom, but not a mirror; ventilation, but not a window. These kinds of minimum requirements can cause real accessibility issues for older adults, seniors, and people with disabilities in public spaces, too. Within 20 years, more than nine million Canadians will have a disability. As a growing population of Canadians age, reduced mobility, vision, and hearing (often combined in a single individual) will need to be addressed. It’s important for cities to rethink and readjust to the way citizens at all stages of life will use public places and spaces. These changing demographics require municipalities to reevaluate current practices and approaches to creating public spaces. Modern public spaces require municipal planners, designers, and architects to challenge their assumptions about who is actually using the space – and how. Creating an access strategy for public spaces that is designed for the broadest range of users is key to providing meaningful access: the ability for anyone to independently and safely access the full built environment based on planned inclusion.

Buildings and Codes of the Past In the past, buildings and building codes didn’t consider all the needs of current and future users. Often, there was too much focus on the disability, and not enough focus on universal accessibility. Buildings and codes that once reflected the majority of users’ needs no longer meet the needs of a population that is aging quickly and that includes an increasingly active community of people with disabilities. The current combination of local building codes, ad hoc committee feedback, and the past experience of planners and developers has resulted in a fragmented approach to providing access in public spaces. This, in turn, has yielded inconsistent access and the separation of people of disabilities by design. To create truly accessible places and spaces, this needs to change.

Accessible Cities of the Future In the new millennium, access isn’t black and white. It no longer refers to a checklist of accommodations for wheelchair users. Accessible cities today must anticipate the needs of citizens of all ages, life stages, and abilities, including children, parents, older adults, and seniors.

Accessible environments must provide meaningful access, and meaningful access is determined by the user’s whole experience of a place or space. It’s the ease of use as a whole that determines the true accessibility of a public space. An accessible washroom is of little use to people with disabilities, parents with babies, or seniors with walkers if the connecting pathways, entrances, elevators, doors, and hallways aren’t also accessible. Every public venue must be planned with holistic accessibility in mind. Additionally, meaningful access includes not only designing for people with mobility challenges, but those with vision loss, hearing loss, and intellectual disabilities. Each of these groups should be included as part of each project’s core design imperatives. A well designed public space brings all people together and plays an integral role in shaping a city. Public spaces are designed for people, and it’s the people in public spaces that bring them to life. BRAD MCCANNELL is Vice President, Access and Inclusion at the Rick Hansen Foundation. Since founding Canadian Barrier Free Design Inc. in 1992, Brad has been a leader in the field of accessibility and has extensive experience in the application of universal design across the built environment. Contact Brad at <access@rickhansen.com>.

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the fee for ratings is currently waived in British Columbia until March 2019.

Moving toward Meaningfully Accessible Communities

as well as parks and trails. It is the only program in Canada using a rating system to identify and certify accesUniversal access to the places sible built environments based on a where we live, work, and play is funda- consistent methodology. mental to creating inclusive communiRHFAC helps planners, develties and an inclusive world. opers, and operators assess and The first step toward creating inmanage their access strategies by clusive communities is to identify the first creating an inventory of access current level of access being provided. issues, and then providing a roadThe Rick Hansen Foundation is pilotmap to improving access as part of ing a LEED-style certification program long-term strategy and planning. Ac– the Rick Hansen Foundation Acces- cessibility Certification is available sibility Certification (RHFAC) – to rate nationally; and, thanks to generous the meaningful access of commercial, funding from B.C.’s Ministry of Social institutional, and residential buildings, Development and Social Innovation,

Creating and Managing Your Access Strategy

Accessible communities rely on sustainable and inclusive urban planning and design that embrace tools like Accessibility Certification to develop and create meaningful access across the entire built environment. Whether caused by aging, accident, or injury, each of us will experience disability at some point in our lives. And, while inaccessibility threatens employment, social structure, and independent and intergenerational living, meaningful access takes into account the full lifespan of people, enables human diversity, and allows everyone to participate and live to their full potential. Universally designed public spaces bring all citizens together. Only by looking beyond minimum regulations and requirements, and truly understanding the real needs of people and communities and planning access accordingly, can a house become a home, and our society become truly inclusive. 

RETHINKING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION The idea of participating in government, and using technology to help individuals do so, has become a legitimate political reality, especially with younger and tech-savvy citizens. There is a robust and growing civic-hacking movement around the world that channels the creativity and problem-solving skills of civic-minded citizens into addressing the challenges of modern governments.

Order this book from MW’s online bookstore

If local governments can see past the risk and the unknown, and are able to look into the future with clear eyes, they just might be able to see that this is a moment of great potential for their communities.

MWDIGEST

September 2017

available lso

Citizens are ready to help share the workload, says Aitken. “Local government will need to be open to, prepare for, and not be overly cautious of the opportunities that will present themselves. Governments that understand the importance of participation, and that protect the rights of their citizens to do so, can capitalize on these opportunities.”

In this thoughtful examination of our democratic roots, the evolving expectations of our government, and the context of today’s technologically-rich environment, author Rick Aitken debunks the idea that everyone hates government, pointing to an abundance of evidence demonstrating that, when given a way to interact directly with government, citizens will take the opportunity to do so again and again, with the only reward being contribution.

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Mapping Community Identity

THE POWER OF STORIES

resources” – the unique stories and traditions that define a community’s identity and sense of place. Most of the discussion about cultural mapping has focused on tangible resources. In this article, we want to turn our attention to the intangibles, and to a range of ways in which community identity mapping can help expand and enrich community engagement while supporting economic development and local wealth creation. Engaging community members in identifying and recounting stories that say something important about what makes their community unique is a powerful way to draw larger numbers Engaging People, of citizens into a cultural planning Places, and Stories process. Experience demonstrates that Cultural mapping is a defining feature people are more actively engaged and of municipal cultural planning approaches receptive to creating new, shared visions of the future if their collective past and that have been written about in the pages present have been portrayed and validof Municipal World for several years, ated in meaningful ways. Experience and which is the focus of the new book also demonstrates that local community Rediscovering the Wealth of Places: A knowledge is very uneven, and scattered Municipal Cultural Planning Handbook for Canadian Communities. There are two amongst residents. Providing a framework for soliciting and collecting their dimensions to cultural mapping: stories is a valuable way of mapping 1. Resource mapping – identifying community identity and engaging the and recording tangible cultural community. The process also connects resources usually making use of three kinds of community narratives: Geographic Information Systems zz honouring the past; (GIS) tools and platforms; and zz celebrating the present; and 2. Community identity mapping – zz envisioning the future. exploring “intangible cultural Stories have been called the “DNA of culture.” Every place has its stories; and if the stories are not shared, the place is of diminished interest to residents and visitors alike. The Blarney Stone is just a rock without its mythologies and cultural context; the Plains of Abraham are just manicured parklands without the dramatic historical narrative. Facilitating access – intellectual and physical – to our cultural and natural heritage resources is a prerequisite to understanding their significance, as well as an engine for building appreciation, fostering stewardship, and generating considerable local economic activity.

A recent cultural mapping project that was a partnership between the City of Windsor and Essex County, used a series of sample stories to initiate a broader community storytelling process. The stories were identified using the matrix, shown in Figure 1. The invitation to the community was to tell their own stories in whatever format or media was familiar and comfortable. This can range from straightforward written narratives to stories told using a range of digital and social media tools.

Leveraging New Digital Tools and Technologies We are on the verge of a profound revolution in how we find, access, GREG BAEKER is Director of Cultural Development for MDB Insight, one of North America’s largest specialist economic development consulting firm. Greg has completed cultural plans in communities of all sizes and circumstances across Canada and the United States. In 2017, he led the development of the Calgary Cultural Plan. He can be reached at <gregbaeker@mdbinsight.com>. DAVE BROWN is a founding professor of the Department of Tourism and Environment at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario. He has been mapping and promoting natural and cultural heritage destinations for over 15 years, most recently through the innovative Niagara Greenbelt Gateway website <www. niagaragreenbelt.com>. He holds a Doctorate from McGill University.

This article was originally published in the September 2010 issue of Municipal World.

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Radio, cinema, and television were threatening media in their infancy, until we got used to their modes of delivery and incorporated them into our lexicon of storytelling tools. that will tell you in real time what you are seeing or visiting, triggered automatically merely by your physical location. All this potential exists today, and the technology is inherent in today’s smartphones, digital media players, and GPS units. Our current challenge is to get better at integrating, packaging, and delivering the content. Some innovative web-based and mobile tourism applications with links to cultural mapping systems are being developed by the Niagara Greenbelt Gateway Initiative <www. niagaragreenbelt.com>. For example, TripClips are interpretive audio clips of professional or community origin that can be downloaded in advance, streamed, or accessed wirelessly by a 3G browser or phone while onsite. They have the potential to be triggered automatically based upon the location of the visitor via GPS coordinates. (see <www.niagaragreenbelt.com/component/content/ article/762-tripclips.html> for details.)

less intrusive, and less resource intensive. Digital interpretation requires no physical signposts, no printed maps or brochures, and no large investment in specialized infrastructure for delivery, since the generalized infrastructure of wireless communications is already in place (and growing daily) for other purposes. Material and energy consumption can be reduced over traditional means, making interpretive tourism more sustainable. Travelers can be urged out of their cars and onto trails, bike paths, and public transit – options which are otherwise difficult to find in a new destination. And, the modularity of digital delivery allows the content to be tailored to the interests and proclivities of the visitor or resident.

Democratizing Cultural Interpretation Another important dimension to the technology is its openness to proprietor and community input. Through modified wiki portals, comment forms, and multimedia submissions, information sharing about cultural assets is democratized, and a voice is given to local community members speaking in their own voices. Experts and critical commentators from the community can tell their stories, share

Sustainable Tourism Practices These interpretive technologies have the potential to be more sustainable than their traditional counterparts. Digital delivery is more flexible, more accessible, and more modular, and is potentially less expensive,

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explore, and share knowledge about cultural resources. Digital technology provides us with an affordable, accessible, and democratic alternative to the human storyteller. We can couple the strengths of digital multimedia and wireless information delivery with the powerful new locational and wayfinding capabilities of GPS and digital mapping. Using these tools, written, oral, and multimedia stories can be delivered electronically, at a time and place that is convenient to the recipient. Properly deployed, digital technologies for storytelling and interpretation are not complicated, sterile, or inhuman … they are a natural extension of our very human propensities to tell stories to one another and better understand our world. Radio, cinema, and television were threatening media in their infancy, until we got used to their modes of delivery and incorporated them into our lexicon of storytelling tools. Mobile digital technologies are the next logical development. Imagine the potential in a technology that will inform you about a point of interest in all of its ephemeral forms, safely guide you there, tell you all about it from the frame of reference that most interests you, and guide you to other destinations of interest or back home again. Or – more innovative yet – a technology

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Finally, these technologies can be a significant catalyst for economic activity. Without promotion and interpretation, a monument or gallery or park or landscape may go unnoticed. facts and anecdotes, and contribute to the building of a rich and multifaceted knowledge base about a place, person, thing or event.

Stories as Economic Drivers Finally, these technologies can be a significant catalyst for economic activity. Without promotion and interpretation, a monument or gallery or park or landscape may go unnoticed. Marshall McLuhan famously said: “I don’t know who discovered water, but it was likely not fish.” When we live in an environment every day, it is sometimes hard to notice those unique features and stories that are all around us. A cultural mapping process helps reveal these treasures and makes it possible to promote and raise awareness both

in the community and to visitors and tourists. Tell people an interesting story, give them a location, show them how to get there, and help bring the experience alive for them. Then, join together multiple destinations in a prepared or custom tour itinerary, and the functionality to make automatic online purchases of accommodations, admission tickets, goods, and services in advance, and you have the makings of a very powerful engine for local and regional economic development.

Municipal Cultural Planning Municipal cultural mapping and planning, especially using the new digital tools, will be one of the first arenas where the local attributes of a geographically-defined community

will be rendered accessible, both intellectually and physically, to a much wider virtual community of locals and visitors who share an interest in what the place has to offer. This will help promote the attributes of the community to a global audience, encourage expert and vernacular input about cultural assets from a wide cross section of the population, facilitate highly personalized explorations and low-impact custom travel itineraries for visitors and locals, and generate economic activity. Finally, and most importantly of all, it will help raise awareness about what is required to create, maintain, and encourage vibrant local communities in all contexts, leading to greater public understanding of the planning and policy directions we must follow in our quest for sustainability. MW

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