Public Art and Dynamic Districts

How do you create a city that’s full of life?

In the early 1960s, journalist and activist Jane Jacobs had an answer that cut against the dominant views of the city planning profession. According to city planners at the time, successful cities should be carefully arranged for efficiency, with different zones for different functions — one place for homes, a separate one for offices, another for shopping, and so on. 

Though this may seem rational on paper, on the ground this approach creates sterile environments that are empty most of the day. Jacobs argued, in contrast, that vibrant neighborhoods integrate the various components of life. Homes are near places to work, eat, shop, learn, and relax. These mixed-use neighborhoods hum with life at any time of day. And they foster communities in which people know their neighbors and build a sense of belonging.

At Brick & Bond, we share Jacobs’ pioneering vision for walkable neighborhoods and public art for residents and guests to appreciate. We use the term dynamic districts to capture this quality of vibrant local communities with a rich, shared, and complex ecosystem of human activity.

We believe one element of making this vision a reality is often overlooked: Investing in public art. 

The Power of Public Art

Public art can be as simple as a small sculpture or as dramatic as a giant mural. Instead of being tucked away in a gallery or museum, however, it is featured in open, accessible places. How does it contribute to community vitality?

It begins with addressing the basic human need for beauty. Recent research has given empirical evidence for what was already intuitively obvious: We’re happier in places of greater aesthetic charm, both in natural and built environments. 

This simple fact leads to a cascade of positive benefits from public art. Because we feel better in beautiful and aesthetically interesting places, we’re drawn to them and like to spend time in them. When more people are spending more time in a place, they provide a potential flow of customers for businesses that locate there. 

These businesses, in turn, can create even more aesthetic interest and additional places to work, socialize, and access goods and services. This gives people even more reasons to visit and spend time in the area, creating a positive feedback loop of development. 

The economic benefits here are obvious. However, the benefits are much broader than that. Public art projects, by their nature, often bring together various stakeholders to plan and execute them, cultivating connection and community investment. They also provide a way to express and even form community identity, solidifying a sense of place. They can even inspire creativity, drawing out the artistic talents and activity of others. 

The Larger Vision

Art is a key ingredient in the vibrant neighborhoods that fill a city with life. We’ll continue to invest in this area as the revitalization of the Yellowstone District unfolds. Other areas, though, are just as strategic. That’s why we’re proud to be a part of supporting thriving local businesses, like Racca’s Pizzeria Napoletana on South Ash. 

It’s why we’re also developing residential properties like The Nolan, so people can benefit from the convenience of being in the heart of the neighborhood while also contributing to its life. Together with David Street Station, a hub of recreation and entertainment, and a growing number of businesses, the area has the ingredients for a vibrant neighborhood poised for continued growth. Jane Jacobs would approve.

‍If you’d like to learn more about what we do and how we might partner with you to create dynamic places built to last, please get in touch.