Rebuilding Cultural Ethos in Urban Storefronts: Two Arts Districts in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas

Abstract

Dallas-Fort Worth, the fastest growing region in Texas, has been criticized for decades for auto-centric and corporate development, which has restricted the sustainable design of cultural venues in need of permeable access to the community. Meanwhile, the city's arts districts – Bishop Arts District and Deep Ellum, officially designated as Cultural Districts in the Dallas Cultural Plan – are known for their clusters of murals, live music venues, and independent businesses, which exemplify the transformation of the forgo en historic streetcar corridors into bohemian cultural destinations. This paper examines the revitalization of Deep Ellum and the Bishop Arts District that have both become successful local destinations with walkable commercial streets. First, we review the literature on cultural placemaking in a post-industrial urban context. Next, using US Census data, we explore the socio-demographic environment of the two neighbourhoods. Then, synthesizing a Geographic Information System (GIS) data set and Google Street imagery, we analyse storefronts that have been modi fied for cultural use. Urban development of cultural districts shows that reusing storefronts can and should be contextually adapted to the existing built landscape and socio-cultural environment to satisfy both communities' needs and to enhance local economic growth. In view of cultural placemaking, the city should develop a policy that increases pedestrian and transit access to cultural districts, aff ordable housing, and spaces for artists and residents, and spurs innovative, often post-retail, cultural storefront repurposing through community engagement in order to build incremental, long-term resilience.