Ikonicity

Why it is that some communities appear to have the innate ability to capitalise on their assets - physical, cultural, historic - whilst other simply do not?

The aim of this project is to find out how 'iconic communities' - in particular - make the most of the icon they have. Iconic communities are places where an icon exists, something that makes the place stand out, a reason for people outside the community to go there and admire it, to write about and study it.

We are looking at how an icon can lead to a strong sense of community, improved economy in the area, good links and partnerships, both within and outwith the community and the ability of the community to work together to solve problems and achieve common goals.

'Ikonicity' is BusinessLab’s latest research project, which combines our interest in community capacity with the design of places and spaces.

The project commenced in July 2009 by looking at four communities, selected by BusinessLab as iconic for different reasons. These include Alloway in Ayrshire for its relationship with Robert Burns, Assynt in North West Scotland for its community land buyout and natural landscape, Byker in Newcastle for Ralph Erskine’s ‘Byker Wall Community’ and Newton Dee in Aberdeen, which is one of the world-wide network of Camphill Communities.

The BusinessLab team is currently preparing the Ikonicity Research Prospectus, based on these four case studies, which will be released in the first quarter of 2010.