Assessing Impact in the City of We: Observations, Interviews, Surveys, and the Power of Community Relationships
After City of We was installed in Uptown Greenville in October 2020, the project entered its final phase: assessing long-term impact of the project.
We used observation, interviews, and a community survey to understand how people experienced the space and the project. Observations showed a clear increase in activity and interaction. About 20% more people stopped in the space, and roughly 40% more people walked through it compared to before the installation. One observer noted that the project “brought the community together in multiple ways, uniting over shared interests and reconnecting with acquaintances.”
Interviews and survey responses helped surface outcomes that were less visible but just as important. Many participants described a strong sense of pride and ownership. One person shared, “When I see the mural, I think of a friend who worked on it and how proud he feels knowing the whole community can see it.” Another reflected on their child’s involvement, describing a lasting personal connection to the work.
The project also helped people feel included in shaping the city, often for the first time. One participant said, “I can’t believe I’m part of this conversation. It felt good to be included.” Survey results supported this, with many respondents agreeing that the project encouraged activity, play, and social interaction. As one person put it, “The mural contributes to the personality of the town.”
Findings Presented at ESC 2021:
All assessment activities were finished by 2022, and early findings from this work were presented at the Engagement Scholarship Consortium (ESC) Conference in September 2021.
Moving the Intervention:
The installation remained in its original location at Fifth and Evans through December 2021, but in January 2022, I received a call letting me know that the site would soon be developed into a hotel and that the installation needed to be removed. While unexpected, this moment highlighted the strength of the relationships built through the project.
Because City of We was created through deep community investment, finding a new location was easier than anticipated. By March 2022, the work was reinstalled just down the street at Fifth and Washington, across from City Hall, remaining part of the same Uptown neighborhood. This was made possible by the community members, partners, and Uptown business owners who worked on the project and were committed to keeping it in the neighborhood.
This experience reinforced an important lesson. When community members help shape both ideas and outcomes, projects become more resilient. Many of the most meaningful impacts of City of We emerged over time through shared use, shared pride, and ongoing connection.
