Weird City: Sense of Place and Creative Resistance in Austin, Texas

Abstract

An increasing number of North American cities are demonstrating vocal resistance to perceived homogenization and corporatization of the urban landscape. In Austin, Texas, a grassroots movement has emerged as a form of resistance to these cultural and economic changes. "Keep Austin Weird," a slogan that has evolved from grassroots cultural movement to rallying cry for local business, is now being appropriated by numerous cities experiencing similar growth patterns (i.e. Boulder, Louisville, Albuquerque, and Portland, Oregon). This particular research is investigated in light of recent studies of the "Creative Class." Austin has been dubbed a Creative City success story by scholar Richard Florida and others, but is experiencing many challenges and externalities typical of growth in so-called Creative Cities. Ultimately, this research explores the inherent interconnections between sense of place, urban governance, and popular resistance. It also questions the potential sustainability of creative strategies for growth and the importance of civic participation. Keywords: Creative Cities, Sense of Place, Localization, Urban Landscape.