EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - IMPACTS 08 – innovative project to measure Liverpool’s Capital of Culture wider effects

IMPACTS 08 – innovative project to measure Liverpool’s Capital of Culture wider effects

Introduction

IMPACTS 08 evaluates the social, cultural, political, economic and environmental effects of Liverpool hosting the European Capital of Culture (ECoC) title in 2008. The main challenge is to isolate the effects that can be attributed to the ECoC title and those developments that are the result of direct regeneration efforts and economic growth. The research project is well on its way to develop a model that successfully deals with this challenge. By doing so, this longitudinal research project makes an essential contribution to the debate on how to measure the effects of culture-led regeneration. The method under development will be easily adapted for use in other cities and for other events.

Description

IMPACTS 08 is a joint research initiative of the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University. The research programme, commissioned by Liverpool City Council, examies the progress and impact of Liverpool ECoC 2008 in the city and its people. IMPACTS 08 addresses several issues that have constrained earlier research programmes on the effects of culture-led regeneration. These issues include:

Recognising the breadth of areas of impact: Many evaluation frameworks are too narrowly framed in focusing on easily quantifiable measures and effects. These frameworks underestimate the strength of culture-led regeneration, such as changes in perception and self-confidence.
Focusing on process as well as outcomes: Culture-led regeneration programmes are not discrete events but elements in an ongoing process.
Disaggregating the impacts of other programmes: It is unusual for a major cultural event to be the only intervention that is underway in a city at any one time. Disaggregating non-ECoC effects is the main challenge in the IMPACTS 08 research project.
Allowing specifity and portability: IMPACTS 08 aims to develop a measure that is easily adapted to be used in other cities and for other events.
A holistic research model: IMPACTS 08 assesses four dimensions of regeneration (economic, physical/environmental, social and cultural dimensions). The research project’s six main research themes are based upon these four dimensions.

IMPACTS 08 research themes are:

Economic impact and processes
The city’s cultural systems
Cultural access and participation
Identity, image and place
Physical infrastructure and sustainability of the city
Philosophy and management of the process

Methodology

Key elements in the research programme are:

Benchmark indicators: Clusters of key indicators for each theme across the four dimensions of impact have been selected and are being collected from baselines in 2000 to 2010.
Secondary data analysis: Existing data and that collected for and by the cultural programme organisers is monitored and analysed.
Contextual data collection and analysis: Additional research will be carried out to fill relevant data gaps and in order to shed light on the figures given by indicator mapping. Methodologies include interviews with key stakeholders, local people and event participants, surveys and case studies.

Conclusions

The research projects has not produced any conclusions yet. The first base line report, to be used for benchmarking, has recently been published. The report can be downloaded below.

Contact info

IMPACTS 08
Dr Beatriz Garcia (Director), tel. +44 151 794 2988

Publication date

01/03/2007

Project finished

//2010

Links

Visit the IMPACTS 08 website Visit the University of Liverpool website Visit the Liverpool John Moores University website

Download IMPACTS 08 Benchmark indicators report 2006 (PDF, Eng, 65 KB)

Download IMPACTS 08 Baseline report 2006-2007 (PDF, Eng, 1.7 MB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Urban economy

Keywords

Specific sectors