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Whether you are a developing an entire city block, a retail high street or working on a small-scale community initiative your projects legacy will likely be defined by its place making attributes. Precinct place making is not as much the creation of a physical place as it is the creation of a feeling in those who come into contact with the space. The feeling invoked when you enter public place which is important to you, a place that allows you to relax, a place you can share with others; a place you could dwell indefinitely.
Human interaction with built form can be profound. A great place is an electric fusion of public domain, retail use, which create synergies through the interactions they facilitate, the sharing of ideas, cultures and experiences. Public spaces are after all the amphitheatres that host the greatest play of all, life.
So what goes into great place making? Here are our top 10 tips to assist in you place making outcomes.
10 key elements of place making
- Cities are for people: It may seem simple; but too often we get consumed by making an architectural statement with the appearance of a building or a park that we forget about how people will interact with the space, particularly the ground plane experience.
- Diversity of User Experience:
Understand the diversity of people who will use your space within your neighbourhood, understand their interests, needs and habits. - Observe:
There are two parts to this, firstly observe your neighbourhood, the people within it and how they currently interact with you proposed site, watch how they walk through the site, where they stop. Also get out and about visit other best in class developments which have similar characteristics to yours and observe how people interact with those sites. - What don’t you have?
Understanding your neighbourhood also includes understanding the gaps in services and facilities. These gaps may reflect a hidden need amongst your catchment. Take a quick inventory around your neighbourhood of open spaces, play grounds, sports and community facilities, café’s and restaurants by offering and note any omissions. - Zones and Times of activation
A common space can be used for multiple different activities thorough the course of a week. Consider how these diverse user groups may use the space and at which times of the day/week each group is active. Creating different activation zones targeting different user groups helps ensure you are attracting a strong cross section of your community
- Pathways.
What is the journey to your site, how will people arrive, where in your site will they visit and what modes of transport will they utilise. For instants are the surrounding streets inviting for pedestrians or are most people going to arrive via the car park. Sketch out on a map the ant tracks that people will use and look to design with this in mind. - The real world is not a photo shopped image, ensure your development reflects reality.
Your space will be used by real people on real days. Consider facilities for those who may have additional requirements such as families with small with children, the elderly. If you want your space to be utilised all year round then consider weather protection from sun, wind and rain. - Everyone loves food
Open green space, natural light and friends are the perfect accompaniment to nearly any meal. The move to urban living and as a nation we have moved away from purchasing material goods opting to spend more on experiences and dining experiences are at the very top of this list. We are eating out more and we are exceptionally discerning coffee drinkers. - Security
This is one element if overlooked can quickly undo all your good work. If for any reason people do not feel safe on your space they will stay away, but simple design considerations can be taken to elevate concern in many instances. Ensure your space has adequate lighting at night and ensure open sight lines exist this can be done by simply pruning trees so trouble makers cannot hid behind them, passive surveillance can make you neighbourhood safer. - Ongoing Relevance
You have studies your user profiles, what the gaps are, and have delivered a place that contributes meaningfully to your neighbourhood. But a great pacemakers job is never done, cities change and so do the needs of a community. Consider the ongoing curation of the space.
If you enjoyed this insight or would like to know more about our place making services please feel free to contact us
