Cities across the U.S. are increasingly turning to murals as tools for placemaking, cultural expression and neighborhood revitalization - and Cincinnati is a standout among them. With more than 300 murals across the city, including 55 in one historic district alone, public art has become a defining feature of Cincinnati's streetscape.
Now, a new study published in the international urban design journal Cities offers fresh insights into how murals contribute to vibrant, walkable neighborhoods. The study is led by Hyesun Jeong, assistant professor of urban design in the University of Cincinnati's School of Art at the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP).
"Murals are associated with higher foot traffic, underscoring their ability to attract people and energize public spaces," Jeong says.
Mural representing Ukraine for Blink 2022. Mural by UC faculty member Jenny Ustick in the DAAP School of Design. Photo/UC Marketing + Brand.
The study, which began in 2023, looked at how murals fit into Cincinnati's neighborhoods by analyzing maps and data on foot traffic, crime and local populations. It was initially funded by a UC Faculty Scholars grant and was extended by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Cincinnati's public art scene has garnered national attention, recently earning the No. 1 spot on USA Today's 2024 list of top U.S. cities for street art. From colorful staircases near the UC campus to iconic works like the UC Alumni Association's "Boldly Defining Next" mural on a major thoroughfare, murals serve not only as visual landmarks but as catalysts for economic and cultural growth.
However, the study also cautions that as neighborhoods revitalize, issues like rising property values and displacement may follow. To address this, Jeong suggests strategies for balancing cultural development and affordable housing for residents and artists.
2023 UC alumni mural in Over-the-Rhine. Photo/UC Alumni Association.
The research, Jeong says, underscores the growing importance of public art in shaping cities - not just aesthetically, but socially and economically.
"When embedded in thoughtful urban design," she says, "murals can help cities build vibrant and culturally rich public spaces."
Featured image at top: Mural in downtown Cincinnati featuring Hasbro toys. Photo/Jay Yocis/UC Marketing + Brand.
