Cultural Resource Mapping is a way to identify, visualize and describe a community's cultural resources. The first major step involves building a database of cultural resources. The primary framework (seen to the right) consists of eight categories that help summarize tangible and intangible cultural assets. Additional components may include schools, community facilities, social/human services, hospitality, agriculture, religious organizations, and information and communications technologies.

Building a Cultural Resource Database

A Cultural Resource Database (CRD) is a centralized inventory of a community's cultural assets:

• Based on a broad definition of cultural resources
• Can include information about public, private and not-for-profit sectors
• Can be viewed through a map-based interface

 Three development principles govern the building of a CRD: 1) Simplicity, 2) Accessibility, 3) Relevance.

Cultural Resources Framework

What cultural resource mapping
can accomplish ...
 

• Illustrate the presence of cultural assets in the community
• Create a strong base of information that supports evidence-based decision making
• Establish a cultural lens with which to view other policies and plans
• Support the cultural sector by giving residents and visitors access to info about arts and heritage activity
• Present information visually in ways that are easy to understand and have a strong impact
• Establish a group of partners in government and civil society committed to planning for cultural vitality
   

The mid-term status report titled London Cultural Profile was presented by the Canadian Urban Institute and Sierra Planning and Management May 3, 2012.

* This project is made possible by the Creative Communities Prosperity Fund through the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport and matching funding through the City of London Culture Office. For background information see Building on the foundation.