1407.1 Cultural installations and events help elevate and preserve the distinct history and identity of the District’s communities. For example, the Friendship Arch near the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro station celebrates the unique identity of the Chinatown neighborhood. Smaller installations, such as the District’s network of 18 heritage trails, are also important. The trails are accessible engagement tools that communicate many of Washington, DC’s important historical narratives. Cultural events, including Fiesta DC and the Caribbean Carnival, are another type of cultural program that elevates community-based cultural traditions. Together, the District’s extensive and growing array of cultural installations and events contribute to an environment that is reflective of the people who live and have lived in the District.

1407.2 Policy AC-2.2.1: Affirm Civic Identity and Community Heritage Through Space Leverage the built environment to affirm civic identities and community heritage. Use historic preservation and adaptive reuse to maintain buildings and spaces that are culturally significant as the District continues to grow.

1407.3 Policy AC-2.2.2: Support the Presentation of Community-Based Cultural Heritage Use interactive platforms, including cultural programming, interpretive signage, and murals, to help new and long-standing residents build community in innovative ways based on a foundation of heritage.

1407.4 Policy AC-2.2.3: Using Art to Convey Identity Use art as a way to help neighborhoods express unique and diverse identities, promoting each community’s individual character and sense of place.

1407.5 Policy AC-2.2.4: Neighborhood Festivals Encourage neighborhood festivals of appropriate scale and location to showcase local culture and increase connections among residents. Such festivals should be planned and managed in a way that does not adversely affect neighborhood health, welfare, and safety.

1407.6 Policy AC-2.2.5: Heritage Trails Create and maintain heritage trails in communities across Washington, DC, including historic districts, to provide historic context and infrastructure for cultural tourism promoting the diversity and history of the District.

See also the Urban Design Element for policies and actions on streetscape and public realm improvements that reflect cultural and architectural history and the Historic Preservation Element for content pertaining to expanding preservation knowledge.

1407.7 Policy AC-2.2.6: Promote Local Cultural Identity and Traditions Promote the sharing of local cultural and community histories. These initiatives should be designed to expand access to resources that support the cultivation and expression of cultural identity. Examples of locally significant traditions include music, food, and art. 1407.8 Policy AC-2.2.7: Community Heritage Storytelling Continue supporting organizations that highlight community heritage through storytelling. These initiatives capture and preserve first source accounts of lived experiences that help build shared identity among residents. See also the Historic Preservation Element for content pertaining to expanding preservation knowledge. 1407.9 Policy AC-2.2.8: Murals as Platforms for Community Building Recognize murals as platforms for expressions of community heritage and aspiration that provide inspiration for community dialogues. 1407.10 Action AC-2.2.A: Explore a Festival Streets Program Analyze the potential for establishing a Festival Streets Program. Festival Streets programs provide master permits to a management organization, such as a BID or DC Main Street, that enables expedited event permitting within a defined area and scope of activity.

SOURCE: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).