the inevitable.
Austin’s Growth: Past, Present & Future.
Growth is nothing new in Austin, TX. The city has always been a magnet for those seeking creativity, opportunity, and an easy going way of life. But as our skyline stretches higher and our streets grow busier, the question isn’t if Austin is changing, it’s how it is changing.
Understanding how Austin is evolving allows us to take an active role in shaping that change. Many longtime Austinites fear that rapid growth threatens the very culture that made this city special, and in many ways it does. But rather than resisting the change outright, acting like a victim, or b*tching and complaining, we should ask: Are we giving people moving here the opportunity to engage with our culture? If people moving here don’t know where to find what we are so proud of, and can only rely on TikTok creators who aren’t in touch with the local culture themselves, or overly hyped trends to find something entertaining *cough morning DJ sets*. Who is really at fault? How can we expect them to understand the attitude that makes Austin so unique? And how can we expect them to embrace it? Austin is about mixing it up, it’s about being open minded and getting along with a variety of different folks.
This responsibility falls on us, the creatives, artists, locals, business owners, and other cultural stewards. We must educate, engage, and welcome those arriving in Austin, showing them what it means to live in harmony with our city’s traditions, values, and way of life. Growth doesn’t have to mean loss, it can mean enrichment, we can mold it into something positive. If we open our hearts and minds, we can ensure that Austin’s next chapter remains as vibrant and authentic as the ones before it. There were cultural figures, artists, and tastemakers who used their voices, wrote articles, and published books to ensure that this city had soul. They made their stand, they left a mark, now it’s time for us to make ours.
Will this take time? Yes. Will it take effort? Absolutely. Will we have to deeply examine ourselves and ask ourselves some hard questions throughout this process? That’s how growth is achieved.
There’s something profoundly healthy about this kind of introspection, both personally and culturally, but it requires us to question our identities and the things we've attached ourselves to in order to create meaningful, positive change for our city. See how that works? A cities culture is nothing more than a reflection of the hearts, souls and traditions of the people who inhabit it. It has nothing to do with how new the buildings are or how out of touch developers are with the locals. If we refuse to make what is important to us known, Austin’s culture will shift even more rapidly, and preservation will be a conversation we should have had a decade ago. In the end, there’s no one else to blame but ourselves if we don’t take action.
Cultural Diffusion.
While researching the topic, I came across the term “Cultural Diffusion”, and by understanding how culture spreads it can help us recognize the forces shaping our city. Here are five key types of cultural diffusion and my interpretation of how they apply to Austin’s evolution:
Relocation Diffusion
When people move to Austin, they bring their cultural beliefs, practices, and innovations. The challenge, and opportunity, is to find ways these influences can integrate into our city without eroding its core identity.Expansion Diffusion
Some cultural elements grow in popularity without replacing what came before them. For example, Austin’s food scene has embraced global cuisines while still celebrating Tex-Mex and barbecue.Hierarchical Diffusion
Influential figures, whether they are business leaders, artists, writers, influencers, or tastemakers, have a significant impact on shaping Austin’s cultural identity. By supporting those who respect and uplift local traditions, we can ensure that change flows in a positive direction.Stimulus Diffusion
As cultures mix, new ideas evolve. Austin’s live music scene is what initially brought people here, it was a sleepy town prior to the 1970’s, now we are a booming metropolis, tech industry leader, and global hub. The question is now, how can we incorporate elements from across the world while staying true to its roots?Maladaptive Diffusion
Some cultural imports don’t fit naturally within Austin’s landscape. Recognizing and addressing these misalignments helps us preserve what works and adapt what doesn’t.Do we really need more clubs like Las Vegas?
Are we the next Hollywood when it comes to TV & Film?
Is New York City branding really the aesthetic that we are going for?
Is affordable art representative of an art scene that will be taken seriously globally?
These are all questions we should be asking ourselves, when choosing where and how we spend our dollar. It goes farther than you think.
The Future of Austin’s Culture
For those who worry about Austin losing its soul, the answer isn’t to resist change, it’s to guide it. That means leading by example, sharing our city’s traditions, and ensuring that newcomers understand and appreciate what makes Austin great. Growth is inevitable. The real question is: What’s next? Let’s make sure the answer reflects the heart and soul of Austin.
I’ll be real with you, I'm frustrated by how Austin is growing and the overall vibe of our scene, perhaps more than most. But everyday I choose to take that sensitivity, turn it into something positive, and use it as fuel to create something better. It all starts with a conversation, once we clarify what we truly want, we can build from there. I don’t see enough people getting involved or taking action yet, but that doesn’t mean we can’t come together to create something we can look back on, and be really proud of. This is a generational responsibility. What are we going to do about it?
Written by Evan H. Duvall
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