Placemaking
Placemaking, or placeshaping, is more than just developing buildings; it's about crafting vibrant, inclusive spaces that champion local identity and genuinely welcome communities. For professionals in placemaking, property and the arts, the challenge is often translating a powerful vision into a tangible reality that resonates with the people who live, work and connect there. How do you move beyond the blueprint to foster a genuine sense of place?
This guide provides an actionable framework and some initial steps to understanding successful placemaking. We’ll explore how to build a robust strategy, engage stakeholders effectively and embed culture at the heart of your projects. Whether you're revitalising a town centre or launching a new cultural hub, these insights will help you create places where people truly belong.
What is the core of successful placemaking?
At its heart, successful placemaking is a people-first process. It involves looking at, listening to and asking questions of the people in a community to discover their needs and aspirations. This collaborative approach is fundamental to creating public spaces that promote health, happiness and well-being. It requires a multi-faceted strategy that blends urban design with deep cultural insight.
Build your placemaking strategy on insight
A powerful placemaking strategy begins with understanding the unique identity of a place. Before a single plan is drawn, deep listening and research are essential. This is where many projects fall short, favouring assumptions over evidence.
Community-led insight: Go beyond demographics. Conduct surveys, host workshops, and engage in informal conversations to understand the local narrative. What are the shared memories, challenges, and aspirations?
Stakeholder mapping: Effective stakeholder engagement is crucial. Identify everyone with a vested interest, from local residents and business owners to cultural leaders and council members. Map their influence and interest to tailor your communication and engagement plan.
Cultural audits: Analyse the existing arts and culture landscape. What grassroots activities, creative enterprises and cultural traditions already exist? This audit provides the authentic building blocks for your strategy.
How do you turn strategy into action?
With a foundation of insight, the next step is to translate your strategy into a deliverable plan. This requires strong leadership, clear communication and a commitment to co-creation.
Activate spaces through culture and connection
Empty spaces are missed opportunities. Activating them through arts and culture is one of the most effective ways to build connection and test new ideas.
Steps for effective activation:
Start small and iterate: Launch pilot projects or temporary installations. This could be a pop-up art exhibition, a community garden, or a weekend market. These initiatives generate buzz and provide valuable insight with minimal risk.
Forge strategic partnerships: Collaborate with local artists, cultural organisations and community groups. These partnerships bring authenticity, expertise and an engaged audience.
Develop a strong brand identity: Your place needs a story. Develop a compelling brand that reflects its unique identity. This isn't just about logos; it's about the narrative you share through your marketing and communication channels.
Secure diverse funding: Don't rely on a single source of income. A robust fundraising strategy will explore public grants, private sponsorship and community investment models.
Manage change and measure what matters
Placemaking is a process of organisational transformation for a location. Managing this change effectively is vital for long-term success. It’s also crucial to move beyond vanity metrics and measure the real impact of your work.
Key areas for evaluation include:
Social value: How has the project improved well-being, social connection, or community pride?
Economic impact: Has it led to increased footfall, new business creation, or job opportunities?
Cultural vibrancy: Is there a tangible increase in cultural participation and creative expression?
Effective evaluation not only proves your project's worth but also informs the next phase of your strategy, creating a cycle of continuous improvement.
