Cultural institutions and heritage sites may contribute to a city’s social cohesion and attract investment.

A study from the World Bank suggests that preserving a city’s history can have a major impact on how that city recovers from traumas. "Investing in cultural institutions, spaces, and heritage can help build bridges between sparring communities in post-conflict urban areas and make disaster recovery quick, sustainable, and more effective," writes Tanvi Misra. By building on and preserving key cultural institutions, cities give citizens a way to cope with and grow from traumatic experiences.
The city of Medellin, Colombia, the site of great violence and upheaval during the Pablo Escobar era, provides a model of a resilient city, Misra argues. The city implemented a plan that included building libraries, and art space, along with other more obvious necessities. "The key is to balance the basic needs—shelter, food, and healthcare—with the effort to promote artistic expression that helps urban communities process trauma and communicate and document their experiences," Misra reports. The report emphasizes the idea that finding the right projects and making large impacts requires officials to work with community members to create a shared understanding about the most important aspects of local culture.
FULL STORY: The Secret Ingredient of Resilient Cities: Culture

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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