For their capstone project, Urban Planning and Sustainable Development graduate students in the School of Planning and Public Affairs created the first comprehensive arts and cultural plan for West Burlington and Burlington, communities that share a border and strong sense of collaboration while maintaining distinct identities.

Like many communities, the cities of West Burlington and Burlington recognize the value of strengthening and growing local arts and culture assets, building social cohesion and community identity around shared values, and leveraging arts & cultural to enhance economic vitality and their unique “sense of place.” Increasing support for creative placemaking at the state and national levels further demonstrates the recognition of arts and culture as an effective and community and economic development tool. 

In the last few years, Burlington’s downtown has welcomed new local businesses, including restaurants, boutique shops, and bars, increasing opportunities for both residents and visitors. The City of Burlington recently won an All-Star Community Award from the Iowa League of Cities for their efforts on their riverfront, making changes to address issues such as flooding and economic decline. These achievements, combined with existing cultural assets—such as the Art Center of Burlington, Fourth of July celebration in West Burlington, the annual Snake Alley Art Fair—provide a solid foundation for a vibrant arts and culture landscape.

However, like many communities across the Midwest, the greater Burlington area faces challenges such as population decline, poverty, and economic stagnation, contributing to lower levels of community pride and social cohesion.

The graduate team worked with local leaders and residents to identify opportunities for the communities to build on recent successes and leverage new energy for collaboration. They analyzed existing conditions, past planning efforts, academic research and case studies to understand how investing in arts and culture can both strengthen social cohesion and help spur economic development in Burlington and West Burlington. Community engagement helped inform the development of goals, objectives, and strategies. The final Arts and Culture Plan includes strategies for community-wide and site-specific interventions, as well as guidance on implementation and funding. The final deliverables also include a booklet for engaging children in community visioning and a StoryMap about arts & culture assets.