public engagement & the urban place
Telling the story of a city one house at a time. That’s the theme of my art show, currently running at the Madrona Gallery in downtown Victoria (BC, Canada). The gallery owner, Michael Warren, describes my work this way: “Nancy Ruhl paints the aspects of neighbourhoods that are often overlooked, elevating the everyday to the [...]
In Australia, a new policy implemented at a local level could be viewed as the latest iteration of cultural planning. This policy, known as a Social Activations Program, is responding to local culture without the long standing confusion of ‘what is culture?’ Its focus is on people, hence the ‘social’, and connecting these people with [...]
Place making is increasingly seen as responding to a gap in our current approach to design and one that can have major benefits to the entire community. This idea is not new but in Australia it’s gaining momentum with a number of initiatives catalysing this change. Our grass roots approach and increasingly creative public is [...]
I have the good fortune of living in Victoria, BC, Canada within walking distance of both Cook Street Village and downtown. The Beagle in Cook St Village serves as a meeting place for the neighbourhood, a role that pubs have always filled. Irish Times in Bastion Square does the same for people who live in [...]
I made a quick foray into the new (some phases still under construction) “Uptown” complex in Greater Victoria (BC, Canada) recently. Uptown is what I call faux urbanism. It is a large monolithic structure – essentially a new generation retail complex with commercial and residential space on top. Its design cues mimic diverse urban environments. [...]
Our belief: citizens’ visions of success are essential in building deep public engagement and a commitment to change. We need to start by asking ‘what does a great city look like for you?’
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