02. Ealing now and next

Overview Principles for action grounded in evidence

Ealing is a dynamic and diverse borough anticipating significant change across the next decade. The types of people attracted to the borough to live, work and play will evolve with strategic change. The cultural infrastructure plan is guided by predictions about this evolution and accompanying challenges and opportunities.

• –Some groups currently not able to access culture at all are connected with cultural opportunities; and
• –Education and training grow the creative workforce. Over the next fifteen years, it is therefore expected that the groups most active in participating in cultural activity increase significantly. The following sections set out highlights from the evidence that have implications for action. A set of guiding principles sets out the challenges for cultural infrastructure projects to respond to.

Over the next fifteen years, it is therefore expected that the groups most active in participating in cultural activity increase significantly. The following sections set out highlights from the evidence that have implications for action. A set of guiding principles sets out the challenges for cultural infrastructure projects to respond to.

The diversity of the borough's cultural profile is one of its key strengths which can be championed and celebrated by its audiences and the creative sector. Cultural expression provides an important link to each of Ealing's residents' heritage and their personal and community identity. The borough is committed to tackle inequalities in all its forms and creative cultural programming offers opportunities for greater understanding and new connections to be forged between all people who make Ealing their home.

Ealing’s population is growing faster than the predicted growth of London as a whole. Major new housing developments, particularly along the Elizabeth Line and within Old Oak will attract new residents, impacting what cultural infrastructure is required. This is considered to be the future ‘cultural propensity’ of Ealing and the Baseline Evidence Report describes the analysis of this. Across the Borough, key indicators of growing momentum for cultural infrastructure include:

• –New transport links with the arrival of The Elizabeth Line, HS2 at Old Oak Common and potential West London Orbital attract people who work in other parts of London and beyond, bringing new residents with a higher propensity for culture;
• –Production opportunities afforded by growing logistics networks multiply, generating new creative employment opportunities;
• –Council focus on 20-minute neighbourhood frameworks improves town centre vitality and footfall, creating new opportunities to bring people together through culture;
• –Perceptions of Ealing as a place in which to consume culture improve;

We Made That

Ealing Cultural Infrastructure Plan