Researchers find local events are community lifeblood
Researchers at the University of South Australia have found that local community events are often the lifeblood of thriving neighbourhoods.
Dr Sunny Son and Dr Chris Krolikowski surveyed almost 400 households in the South Australian coastal area of the City of Holdfast Bay, a local government area of 37,000 people - a similar population to the Peninsula.
According to the pair, who specialise in tourism and event management, their research could have implications for the Peninsula.
They found that people who frequently attended local events or participated as volunteers, organisers or exhibitors, felt connected to their area and that their neighbourhood was important to them.
Those who regularly attended local events - from farmers markets to food festivals, art exhibitions and how-to workshops - were likely to be more satisfied with their neighbourhood and are more willing to live there longer.
While owning a home or living there for a long time were influential factors in a person developing a sense of place, the study found that regularly attending local events had a greater impact on fostering a sense of place than length of residency and home ownership.
Dr Krolikowski said the findings validated the importance of events as crucial components to the social structure of local communities, not just as economic tools.
"These social benefits are particularly important to rebuilding local communities after the pandemic, during which social connections and broader community life were affected by lockdowns and social distancing measures.
"Popular local events can also become attractions for visitors by showcasing the culture of the area.
"By contributing to the uniqueness of places, events are well positioned to play an essential role in developing the tourism sector of urban and regional destinations."
He said: "Local events can assist Woy Woy Peninsula in maintaining and strengthening its local identity, as distinctive to that of other areas.
"Ensuring that residents are able to connect with each other and run events that reflect the distinctive qualities of the place and its community is likely to be of particular value not only to the community, but also to visitors from the surrounding areas and beyond."
Dr Son said: "We still need to further our understanding of the role that events play in social sustainability.
"Understanding how events can help build socially sustainable communities is vital in justifying government investment in local events."
She said: "To maintain the local identity and enhance the sense of place among the residents of the Woy Woy Peninsula, hosting local events would be helpful.
"These events don't need to be large.
"Small but frequent events or gatherings can significantly contribute to building and maintaining a sense of community and place.
"Examples are markets, weekly yoga, book clubs and other small social gatherings.
"The local sense of place is important regardless of regional or urban context, and local community events can contribute to it.
"This research argues that local communities' sense of place is crucial for building strong, socially sustainable and connected communities, as it can lead to better community wellbeing and a better place to live."
SOURCE:
Media release, 7 Jun 2024
Melissa Keogh, University of South Australia