8 questions to ask about places

I … where

?

What is placemakin

g?

‘Our job is to cherish, protect, enhance,

replace and refresh in a way that makes a

positive contribution to our communities and

the wider district.’

City of Bradford MDC

Who are the

placemakers?

You are

Sustainability:‘Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the

ability of future generations to meet

their own needs’

Bruntland Commission 1987

'Sustainable communities meet the diverse needs of existing

and future residents, their children and other users,

contribute to a high quality of life and provide opportunity and

choice. They achieve this in ways that make effective use of natural resources, enhance the environment, promote social cohesion and inclusion and

strengthen economic prosperity.’

Egan Review, 2004

Eight questions to ask

about a place

Who makes decisions?

Attwood Green, Birmingham:

Residents on community association board, neighbourhood forum - local people take decisions about their homes

Is it well connected?

Curitiba, Brazil:

A city transformed by giving priority to public transport

Are there good local services?

Kaleidoscope, Lewisham:

Health, education and social care for children – all in one place

Is there respect and care for the environment?

Stamford Brook, Cheshire:

High quality homes on a National Trust estate

Does everyone get a fair deal?

Mixenden, Halifax:

Community Link brings together asylum seekers, migrant workers and local residents to foster social links and community spirit

Is there a thriving local economy?

Hebden Bridge, Calderdale:

A ‘home town’ with a high proportion of independent shops

Are the homes and built environment

well designed?

Norfolk Park, Sheffield

Distinctively designed as well as forward-thinking

Is there a good mix of social and

cultural activity?

Art for all, Oldham

Number of adults involved in visual and performing arts increased by 14,000 in three years

Placemaking…… could be a building

… a street corner… a market… an estate… a village… Bradford… Yorkshire

… the UK

S M L XL XXL

‘Practice... is about making the

ordinary special, and the special

more widely accessible.’

Nabeel Hamdi

Picture creditsAttwood Green: Optima

Curitiba: ZhuKaleidoscope: Steve CadmanStamford Brook: Ian Roberts

Mixenden: Tim GreenHebden Bridge: Robert Wade

More from me at: New Start magazine:

www.newstartmag.co.ukLiving with Rats:

http:livingwithrats.blogspot.comTwitter: www.twitter.com/juliandobson

Slideshare: www.slideshare.net/juliandobson