Here’s something we hope to replicate in Charleston…perhaps for a slightly different purpose. Since 2003, thousands have taken part in the StoryCorps oral history project, describing their lives and history. StoryCorps opened its first StoryBooth, a freestanding soundproof recording studio, in New York City’s Grand Central Terminal in October 2003 and in June 2005 opened its second StoryBooth at the site of the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan. Over the course of the ten-year project, StoryCorps plans to open StoryBooths both mobile and stationary across the country.

The mobile booths are particularly cool….a customized Airstream trailer that provides a sound proof recording studio. Whether we can swing a trailer or not we’d like to set up a mobile video booth to capture residents opinions on GetInspired Charleston, what makes this region special to them, what we should be doing in the future, etc. Sort of a ground up visioning project for our community. Stay tuned, and shout if you have any ideas or resources.

Here’s another good example…this time from Portland, OR where the Mayor’s office developed a “Vision Vessel” to encourage residents to participate in the shaping of their city….as covered by Metropolis magazine.