A VISION FOR WILSON CREATIVE ZONE PHASE I: CASE STUDY RESEARCH ON INNOVATION ZONES AND ART DISTRICTS ECE ALTINBASAK Design PhD Candidate, Fulbright Fellow, North Carolina State University Economic Development Analyst Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill www.ncgrowth.unc.edu
A I M O F P R O J E C T AN INNOVATION AND ART- DRIVEN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY... to create a...welcoming, functional, vibrant space for residents and visitors. Identification and analysis of successful innovation zones that use art and technology as a catalyst and identify aspects Recommendations for Wilson s innovation zone including: Types of businesses that could populate the zone and uses for the physical space Characteristics that will draw tourists; and strategies to encourage tourists to spend more time downtown
H I G H L I G H T S Largest municipality in Wilson County Census population of 49,440 and covers a land area of nearly 30 square miles FINANCIAL AND MANUFACTURING COMPANIES GREENLIGHT (FIBER NETWORK) STATE-OF-THE-ART VOLLIS SIMPSON WHIRLIGIG PARK
S T R E N G T H S + W E A K N E S S E S Assets and opportunities Weaknesses Artists History Diversity Cost of Living Simplicity of life Dining Cafes Healthy living Walkabaility Activities for young people Disconnection Lack of need to work or invest Confidence of locals Trust Fear of Failure Conservatism Racism Complex Culture Beliefs/mindset Ownership Poverty Crime Life skills Perception Sense of belonging Communications Image Empowering people Greenlight State of the Art City GIS Barton College Community College Sallie B. Howard School of Art Water Services Police department Fire department DLP Wilson Medical Center Wilson County Health Department Wilson Community Health Center Longleaf Neuro- Medical Treatment Center Recreational activities for adults Public transportation Small businesses Alternatives and opportunities for higher achieving students and K12 education Whirligig Park Train Station Historical buildings Parks Affordable housing Places to connect/coll aborate Places to hangout Vacant buildings Abandoned buildings Local art and cultural offerings Social places Electric Water Fiber-tothepremise Highways Wilson Industrial Airport Rocky Mount- Wilson Airport Rail road Sidewalks Arial cables in downtown Greenways Lake and reservoirs Weather Water Land More green space, parks, and playgro unds in downt own CULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND EXPERIENCES SERVICES, EDUCATION AND HEALTHCARE PLACES AND LANDMARKS INFRASTRUCTURE NATURE
C A S E S T U D Y R E S E A R C H C A S E S A I M In order to explore and identify; Patterns Processes Features and types of spaces ART DISTRICTS CASES INNOVATION ZONES CASES Lower Town Art District PaduCah, KY Downtown Peculiar Arts and Culture District Peculiar, Avenue for the Arts Grand Rapis, MI 22@ Barcelona Innovation Zone Barcelona, Spain The RINo Art District Denver, CO Tucson Warehouse Art District Tucson, AZ The Dallas Art District Dallas, TX Central Keystone Innovation Zone Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Station North Arts &Entertainment District Baltimore, MD Cortex Innovation Community St. Louis, Missouri
Y P E S O F S P A C E S ART DISTRICTS ARTISTS CENTERS LIVE/WORK SPACE SMALL PERFORMING ARTS SPACES Resource hubs and places to socialize and display work Residential places for artists to live and work, often at affordable rates Affordable community venues for the performing arts to provide social and professional networks
C O M M O N A S P E C T S S U C C E S S F A C T O R S INNOVATION ZONES ECONOMIC ASSETS incubators talent PHYSICAL ASSETS green space transit mixed-use developments shared work spaces Ecosystem for Innovation meet ups NETWORKING ASSETS shared work spaces themed networking events brainstorming events social media
T Y P E S O F S P A C E S + S U C C E S S F A C T O R S INNOVATION ZONES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FACILITIES LAB AND OFFICE SPACES FOR RENT INNOVATION CENTERS Presence of companies which serve as reference in the sector Support and presence of the most relevant institutions Existence of spaces for small and medium-sized business Settlement of universities, continuous education and professional centers Active technology centers The creation of specific business incubators The construction of residences for professionals Spaces of exhibition and spreading of the innovation and works of the sectors Specific services and spaces for entrepreneurs of every area Granting a group of specific services: aids, access to venture capital, networking, etc.
RECOMMENDED PROCESS: STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5 STEP 6 Conducting a SWOT Analysis Conducting Case Study Research and Identifying Patterns Creating a Vision Setting Goals Developing an Action Plan Putting the Plan into Action A Comprehensive Survey
THANK YOU! SPECIAL THANKS TO: Kimberly Van Dyk Director, Downtown Development City of Wilson Jenny Moore Project Manager Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park Project A VISION FOR WILSON CREATIVE ZONE PHASE I: CASE STUDY RESEARCH ON INNOVATION ZONES AND ART DISTRICTS ECE ALTINBASAK Design PhD Candidate, Fulbright Fellow, North Carolina State University Economic Development Analyst Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill www.ncgrowth.unc.edu