In 2009 the City of Kingston engaged a consultant team to undertake the Kingston Community Cultural Policy Plan as part of the recognition that culture and creativity are major drivers of the local economy. The aim of the study was to articulate a sustainable and long-term vision for cultural vitality in Kingston, and to identify possibilities for collaboration between cultural organizations, City departments, and other stakeholders and community members. This work included significant stakeholder and community consultation, including one-on-one meetings, focus group meetings, and a series of public workshops.

ERA’s role was to articulate a vision for conserving and engaging Kingston’s heritage assets, and to recommend policy direction for built heritage and cultural heritage landscapes. Our work included a review of relevant heritage and planning policy documents and an assessment of the City’s heritage program and approval processes. ERA recommended a new approach that would integrate heritage policy and urban planning practice to encourage the creative and sensitive collaboration of heritage fabric with new architectural design, and intangible cultural heritage with new economies and community initiatives.