pocketguides

The Process of Placemaking

Placemaking is a multidisciplinary, inclusive and collaborative practice that can take multiple forms. Each project is unique and requires creativity and the ability to engage with different stakeholders, enabling the community to co-create solutions to improve their localities. While there are no fixed guidelines, drawing inspiration from other practitioners can be a good starting point.

This pocket guide features three experienced Irish placemakers sharing some of their project methods, processes, and strategies.

Step 1
Framing

Common or specific, each place will have a number of pressing issues which are holding back its vibrancy. The community will hold important insights. 

  • Prior to engagement, mapping and desktop-based research should be undertaken to help frame the situation and form a collection of materials for first workshops. 
  • Hold a public forum as early as possible to establish the key concerns. 
  • Try framing the workshops with a specific issue, say vacancy, using this as a starting point.
Step 2
Capturing Sense of Place

Now that a set of key concerns has been framed, it is time to witness the energy of a place, encapsulated in its sights, sounds and textural environment. A ‘walking’ method can act as a catalyst for deeper exploration. Moving about town helps draw out sociocultural experience, evoking memories associated with a place. It can help with recollection of a place’s social history, distant and present, a useful tool when contrasted with a current situation. Ask participants to capture notes and photographs followed by a brief workshop to record thoughts, developing on previous engagement.

Step 3
Methods of Recording

Explore the use of methods which capture the spirit of a place and frame the issues which are undermining a sense of pride and belonging.

  • The mixing up of formats can help to widen perspectives, this approach can give a more diverse view of how communities experience their place. 
  • Adapt to diverse audiences with appropriate materials (word based, illustration, visual, etc.), methods (aural, oral, etc.). Use different mediums to accommodate passive and active engagement such as drawing, photography, spoken, song, music, mindmaps.
  • Run day and evening events to suit people’s availability and age group.
Step 4
The Lived Experience

Significant effort is needed to ensure inclusivity and to capture views of a diverse range of users, reflective of the community. Different methods can be used to capture user experience and feedback relating to the use and functionality of a space or place:

  • Questionnaires: these are helpful for reaching a wider audience, particularly if a combination of online and hard copy surveys are available.
  • Photography: can be more accessible for participants, instead of mapping.
  • Combination of closed and open questions: to gather feedback on what works well, what could be better, what makes the place special, and how it makes people feel? Open questions can be harder to analyse but offer valuable insights into personal experiences.
  • In-person engagement: events and interviews can provide deeper understanding of how people’s opinions were formed.
  • Include young people: create opportunities to engage with young people through schools or focused community engagement.
Step 5
Observation and Fieldwork

Observational studies help capture evidence on how a space is used, including activities, circulation, desire lines, dwell and congregation points, and the extent of social interactions and activity. These studies can take many forms, with data collected through methods like note-taking, sketches, overlays on mapping, visual and audio recordings, or even more complex forms and apps.

Pedestrian and footfall recordings are a good starting point. It is beneficial to align these observations with Town Centre Health Check methodologies to create a baseline for comparison with other places or settlements and key performance indicators.

Step 6
Mapping
  • Combine the fieldwork and lived experience feedback with the desktop-based research and data collected during the initial stage of the project. 
  • Generate mapping combined with the analysis of the morphology and evolution of the place, the history, the built and natural heritage. 
  • Combine with information about building use or underutilisation, as well as social and economic data (e.g. Pobal Deprivation Index and Census data). 

Mapping cultural assets and the landscape can be challenging, as it requires a deep understanding of both tangible and intangible elements. When combined, these elements form a detailed and multifaceted portrait of a place, incorporating the stories and meanings that give it depth and significance, going beyond what can be seen and felt in the physical environment.

Step 7
Translating Vision into Actionable Goals

With a clear sense of place and identified key concerns, and solutions, it’s time to translate the community’s vision into actionable goals. 

  • Begin by breaking down the vision into specific, measurable objectives. 
  • Collaborate with community members to prioritise these goals, ensuring they reflect the most pressing needs. 
  • Use a participatory approach to develop a roadmap that outlines the steps required to achieve each goal, assigning responsibilities and establishing timelines. This roadmap should be a living document, adaptable to the evolving needs and insights of the community.
Step 8
Building Capacity and Securing Resources

With actionable goals in place, it’s essential to build the capacity needed to deliver on the community vision. 

  • Begin by identifying the resources required, including funding, skills, and volunteer support. 
  • Collaborate with community members and local organisations to initiate fundraising efforts, seek grants, and explore other financial opportunities. 
  • Engage volunteers by creating roles that align with their skills and passions, ensuring they are empowered to contribute meaningfully. 
  • Capacity building should also include training and development opportunities, equipping community members with the skills needed to sustain and grow the initiatives. By strengthening local capacity, the community can drive forward with confidence, knowing it has the necessary resources and support.
Step 9
Prototyping and Testing Solutions
  • Start by selecting a few high-impact interventions and brainstorming with the community to generate ideas for addressing them. 
  • Develop small-scale prototypes or pilot projects that can be tested within the community. This hands-on approach allows for real world feedback, helping to refine and adapt solutions before full-scale implementation.
  • Encourage community members to actively participate in testing and provide feedback, ensuring that the solutions are practical, culturally appropriate, and supported by those who will benefit from them.
Step 10
Implementing and Scaling Solutions

Once prototypes have been tested and refined, the focus shifts to implementation and scaling. 

  • Begin by launching the most successful pilot projects, using the feedback gathered to optimise their effectiveness. 
  • Engage local stakeholders, organisations, and authorities to secure the necessary resources and support for scaling solutions across the community. 
  • Monitor progress closely, using the roadmap to track milestones and make adjustments as needed. 
  • Celebrate successes and learn from challenges, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. 
  • As solutions are scaled, ensure they remain aligned with the community’s original vision, adapting as necessary to maintain relevance.
IAF Re-Imagine