Making placemaking personal.

Placemaking, in the simplest terms, is about creating liveable public spaces and communities, not just new homes. Some believe the word has been undermined by overuse and sometimes misuse. But the basic philosophy remains intact, as all good planning and design should be, it’s a people-led approach.

The principles outlined in the government’s Design and Placemaking Planning Practice Guidance, currently under consultation until mid-March, set a framework for creating well-designed places. The guidance identifies seven characteristics to follow for success, including liveability, public space and identity. It is rooted in encouraging developments to sustain a powerful sense of community, ensuring that the built environment positively influences the lives of those who inhabit it.

Of course, effective placemaking has long been a cornerstone of successful urban planning. Making placemaking personal means prioritising people’s needs, aspirations and identities throughout the planning and design process. In this, the role of SME housebuilders is key.

SMEs are already knitted into the fabric of a region or place, employing local people and actively engaged in local communities. Their size gives them agility, arguably allowing them greater freedom to champion innovative design solutions, support local economies, and ensure that infrastructure investments reflect the character, vernacular and requirements of the communities they serve. This results in developments with a strong sense of place and a clear sense of identity.

But, of course, the art of placemaking lies not just in the delivery, but in the articulation of that delivery and the way communities are engaged along the way. Here, communications have a vital role to play. By maintaining a people-led perspective, it helps translate intentions into narratives that resonate, encouraging engagement and participation. The government’s focus on well-designed places, as detailed in the guidance, highlights the need for a considered approach that brings together infrastructure, green spaces and local investment.

The true challenge, however, lies in weaving these threads together through placemaking that is personal and inclusive. The phrase ‘build, build, build’ may capture the urgency of growth, but genuine placemaking requires collaboration, creativity and commitment from all stakeholders - government, SMEs, communications professionals and, most importantly, communities themselves.