2024 Week 8 of 52 Lifestyle

So, we are now at the end of week 8 of 52 for 2024, 15% of the way to year end.

That would seem to be too far into the year to still be saying 'Happy New Year!'

Building on last week's edition of my (typically very intermittent) newsletter essentially about commitment and overcoming procrastination, I've decided to commit to a (typically) concise read every Friday morning. And share other links to research and interesting finds during the week if they surface.

Please feel free to email ([email protected]) or DM me with any feedback or if you'd like to collaborate.

So, here's the first week of my every Friday commitment for 2024 ...

In Adelaide and wider South Australia we have just hit ‘Mad March’, our annual four week festival season that encompasses the?Adelaide Fringe?Festival (16 February to 17 March – 6,000+ artists), Adelaide Festival (1-17 March), Writers Week and WOMADelaide.

There is a vibrant city buzz as summer weather continues, and nearby venues add to the vibe with locals given a great opportunity to bask in one of the wonderful aspects of living in Adelaide. There is also the economic benefits as visitors from interstate and overseas help boost the local economy.

“At $906 million in total visitor expenditure in March 2023, it is the third-highest month on record. It follows the $930 million spent in October 2022 and the all-time high of $940 million spent in January 2023.” (More >)

Economic data from January illustrates South Australia as the “best performing economy for first time” according to the?Commonwealth Bank’s CommSec State of the States report.

“For the first time in the history of our reports, South Australia has taken the lead. Population growth in South Australia has tripled over the past two years, which is showing up in a strong housing market and overall economic activity.”

For Australia’s?fifth largest economy (seventh largest Gross State Product per capita of eight)?this is a great sign of growth for the future, at least partly due to the reduction in need to live in bigger corporate centres such as Melbourne and Sydney with remote working more readily accepted and cost of living / housing affordability pressures. Campaigns such as?New State of Mind?(we have been proud to be involved in for the past few years) and wider medium to long term commitments to lifestyle building are critical.

An area of research Square Holes regularly conducts is economic and cultural research for major and minor events. Such research is fundamental to supporting the events (from _SOUTHSTART 5-7 March to Adelaide Film Festival, Bay to Birdwood, Fashion Festival and more) in illustrating to government and other stakeholders the economic return from their investments.

Such economic and cultural studies place higher economic value on the spend from interstate and overseas visitors that would not have otherwise been generated. Yet the medium to long term impact on making the culture more buoyant and therefore an attractive place to visit, live and work is fundamental to attracting and retaining a growing population of smart, engaged people well into the future.

Over the last (close to) 20 years of Square Holes’ research supporting flourishing cities, what is clear is that small cities such as Adelaide generally punch above their weight in cultural events, yet it is also critical that they do to survive. South Australia is a good example of a state punching above its weight for cultural events. A wine state 153% the size of France and 3% of the population – 1.8Million population of South Australia, and 1.3 Million wider metropolitan Adelaide.

The future belongs to smaller cities and towns, and investing in cultural events and all the aspects that contribute to liveability – including lifestyle and economy – are fundament to survival. Larger cities have a momentum and critical mass that grows organically.

Since 2004 we have conducted ongoing research to guide government, town planners and city builders to evolve cities.

Flourishing cities, inspired by real people.

If you live in South Australia or are able to visit, please get out and help our cultural assets to grow economically.

Jason

Ps ...

Read week 333 of Square Holes Think! What makes a city liveable?

Read by clicking the below image or here>

Plus, I found this interesting ...