What is Placemaking? (Defined by 10Fold Architecture + Engineering

​Placemaking

What is your favorite place in a city anywhere in the World? Take a (mental) walk there right now. What do you see? What do you like about it? Is it easy to get there? How do you feel when you are there? Why do you feel comfortable when you are there? Are you the only one there or are others enjoying it too? Do you like to meet you friends there?

These questions and others like them are critical when considering how to make a space where people want to go, spend time, and spend money. A place that is accessible, comfortable, useful, and sociable. The process of creating public space like this is called Placemaking. “Placemaking means creating places and focuses on transforming public spaces to strengthen the connections between people and these places.” 1 ” Placemaking shows that the creation of places transcends the material dimension and involves aspects such as sociability, uses, activities, access, connections, comfort, and image, to create bonds between people and a sense of place.” [1]

• What makes a great place? There are four primary attributes. [2]

 

1. They are accessible and well connected to other important places in the area.
2. They are comfortable and project a good image.
3. They attract people to participate in activities there.
4. They are sociable environments in which people want to gather and visit again and again.

 

• Eleven Principles of great Placemaking: 2

 

1. The Community is The Expert
2. Create a Place, Not a Design
3. Look for Partners
4. They Always Say “It Can’t Be Done.”
5. Have a Vision
6. You Can See a Lot Just By Observing
7. Form Supports Function
8. Triangulate
9. Experiment: Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper
10. Money Is Not The Issue
11. You Are Never Finished

 

• The Benefits of Great Places 2
  1. Promotes sense of comfort
  2. Nurtures and defines sense of community
  3. Promotes health
  4. Creates improved accessibility
  5. Builds and supports the local economy

​Fosters social interaction


[1] ArchDaily, Susanna Moreira

[2] Project for Public Spaces

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