{"id":1853,"date":"2020-02-07T09:13:00","date_gmt":"2020-02-07T08:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.ifla.org\/lpa\/?p=1853"},"modified":"2020-02-07T09:24:27","modified_gmt":"2020-02-07T08:24:27","slug":"libraries-culture-connection-and-transition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ifla.org\/lpa\/2020\/02\/07\/libraries-culture-connection-and-transition\/","title":{"rendered":"Libraries: Culture, Connection and Transition"},"content":{"rendered":"

When cities leverage their heritage for development, there is the possibility of gaining their investment back in social and economic dividends. Investing in cultural heritage can make a location more attractive for tourism, new residential growth and business investment \u2013 changing the landscape of a community and the way people interact with it.<\/p>\n

I recently attended a webinar on this topic offered by EUROCITIES<\/a>, an economic, political and social development network connecting many of Europe\u2019s major cities.<\/p>\n

Experts spoke to their experience of social and economic returns on cultural heritage investment, including finding balance between social and economic benefits of urban renewal and the negative effects of gentrification and over-tourism.<\/p>\n

When considering cultural heritage as a tool for development, this was a very interesting concept and it got me thinking \u2013 as memory institutions, where do libraries fit into this?<\/p>\n

Urban Transition in Bakklandet \u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This discussion focussed on heritage and social and economic valorisation \u2013 that is, the process of creating social and economic value from cultural heritage resources.<\/p>\n

The example I\u2019d like to focus on is from the Bakklandet neighbourhood of Trondheim, Norway. Today this area is a must-see for tourists in the city, who enjoy the traditional wooden architecture, colourful buildings, and plentiful cafes.<\/p>\n

\"Colourful

Colourful buildings in Bakklandet (photo by darolti dan on Unsplash http:\/\/bit.ly\/3bc3xVI)<\/p><\/div>\n

However, this was historically a working-class area, which in the 1960s faced the threat of being demolished to make room for a highway. The neighbourhood was saved by locals, whose grassroot campaigning successfully opposed the demolition plans. Given this history, the area for a long time has been home to a deeply engaged local population.<\/p>\n

Bakklandet is now in a period of urban transition \u2013 valued by tourists for its cultural capital, and therefore valued by investors and businesses for its economic potential.<\/p>\n

How does a city in transition balance the benefits that economic returns on heritage can bring while preserving authenticity and social capital for residents?<\/p>\n

I would argue one answer lies in libraries, as memory institutions and as public spaces.<\/p>\n

Third-Party Preservation of Memory <\/strong><\/h2>\n

I wondered if there was any information in this case study on the role of libraries and archives in keeping local\u2019s connection to culture at the heart of Bakklandet\u2019s transition.<\/p>\n

The speaker from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology who presented this case study informed me that residents themselves have taken action to record the history of their community.<\/p>\n

Locals have created an online archive, rich with historic photos and stories about the neighbourhood\u2019s long history, alongside current news and events connecting residents to one another.<\/p>\n

The speaker referred to this repository as a third-party preservation of memory<\/em>. It is a wonderful blend of memory, history and social connection. It is a community centered around a deep connection to its neighbourhood, preserving its memory and building social capital among its residents.<\/p>\n

Check it out here (in Norwegian): https:\/\/blvel.wordpress.com\/hjem\/bilder\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t