Infrastructure plays a key role as a fundamental pillar of the sustainable development of society. Infrastructure, as a human intervention on the territory, is deeply connected with the organization and functioning of society and shows the level of development of the community.

In cultural institutions, infrastructure is a key tool for ensuring economic and social development, and for integrating communities and creating their well-being. Under no circumstances can this be considered a cost, but rather an investment, since it represents one of the most obvious elements of the community’s identity. This includes all spaces where different artistic and cultural practices and community manifestations take place. For this reason, the implementation of a cultural infrastructure policy is more than appropriate and should be proposed by a cultural management body.

infinity in a reed

Faced with the permanent reduction of the budget for culture, this turns into an obvious and upcoming problem that is not considered in the development plans of the central state. There is no evidence of any interest in the institutional strengthening of the National Cultural System, which promotes decentralization in order to have adequate spaces and equipment that enable the expansion, creation, innovation and circulation of goods and cultural manifestations in optimal conditions.

Nor is future planning for the creation or consolidation of cultural infrastructure visualized. A clear example was the effect after the earthquake of 6.8 degrees in the Gulf of Guayaquil, with a strong winter season that threatened the cultural infrastructure of the Casa de la Cultura Núcleo del Guayas and its equipment. We are still waiting for the actions of the authorities in which funds are given for the appropriate investment that takes care of the most urgent needs, such as the restoration of the cultural infrastructure. There is an urgent need to work on investment plans that address these needs in order to develop more arts service projects and programs for the community.

A culture of peace

The presence and quality of cultural infrastructure reflects the well-being of the city and testifies to its social development.

It is time to banish the current idea that leads us to find ourselves at the mercy of an entertainment and culture industry designed, mainly, from a consumerist logic that does not interfere with the creation of values ​​and principles for the reconstruction of the social fabric, but, on the contrary, seeks reproduction prejudice and ignorance.

I will remind you that social phenomena go hand in hand with culture, and that is where the development of the local community fails.

The presence and quality of cultural infrastructure reflects the well-being of the city and testifies to its social development.

If we want a society with healthy cultural customs, which go towards respect, principles, values ​​and eradicate violence, we must prioritize art and culture. (OR)