Description
Created by the Project for Public Spaces (PPS), the Placemaking Process involves identifying community sites that need revitalization, identifying changes that would improve the character and vitality of the site, determining the public’s vision or desires for the site, and crafting a new place that will fulfill the vision. Placemaking involves a number of common methods, including direct observation and research, community visioning meetings and workshops, designs and scenarios, implementation, and management programs.
Steps
PPS employs the Placemaking approach on levels of scale ranging from single buildings to entire districts. After identifying the scale and location of the project, PPS begins to analyze the public space. The initial analysis phase identifies physical elements of the space and project (such as dimensions, topography, and current state), regulatory issues (zoning regulations, building requirements), sociological elements (use of the site, behavioral patterns, demographics), and opinions (values, visions, goals). The systematic analysis identifies both problems and potential for a site, through methods like direct on-site observation, time-laps filming, interviews, and surveys.
PPS offers “Place Game” workshops in the analysis phase, which use the organization’s “Place Performance Evaluation” exercise. The exercise leads participants through a series of questions and activities that elicit opinions about a place and its potential, including physical elements like design and traffic, but also less tangible aspects like events, preservation of character, and entrepreneurial opportunities.
After completing the site analysis, PPS creates design scenarios and alternatives for specific sites and master plans for larger areas. Those plans are evaluated by citizens and partners, and PPS also creates demonstration projects that help to build momentum and explore ideas from the plans. The first implementation steps tackle inexpensive, small-scale improvements that can be completed quickly and will have major benefits for the community. These small projects build public will and capacity, which can then fuel completion of larger projects. Finally, PPS works with communities to develop long-term management plans for sites, which can include further development and evaluation.
Pros and Cons
Placemaking is one of the more comprehensive processes for identifying and supporting community character, with well-developed methods for all stages (visioning through implementation and follow-up). Based upon William Whyte’s Street Life Project (with methods similar to Sacred Site Mapping, Mass-Observation, and the Discovery Process), Placemaking uses empirical observations to track people’s behaviors and the social effectiveness of sites. Placemaking goes one step further than many of these observational processes by soliciting opinions and public participation as well, which creates a better-rounded picture of public preference and vision.
Placemaking is inherently tied to physical public places within a community. While much of a community’s character can be linked to or captured by these places, there are undoubtedly elements of heart and soul that cannot. Likewise, Placemaking strategies (for revitalization and protection of character) are built upon physical places and improvements to them. Physical and capital improvements are an important method of improving communities, but less expensive and intangible methods can also be helpful.
Examples
PPS has completed Placemaking projects in nearly 2000 communities around the world, ranging from small improvements of parks and civic centers to major trainings and urban mixed-use projects. Notable projects include Placemaking in Littleton, NH and Mississauga, Ontario.
Participants in a “Place Game” project evaluate a community project site. Image: Project for Public Spaces
A site design scenario incorporates the participants’ visions for what the public space could be. Image: Project for Public Spaces