EFFECTS OF PLACEMAKING EFFORTS ON ACTIVELY MANAGED COMMUNITY SPACES

Abstract

The overarching objective of placemaking is the proactive management of space to enhance its quality and functionality. In the past, key stakeholders frequently adopted a top-down approach to public space design. The design process typically followed a standardised procedure, with a designer overseeing the project to ensure compliance with basic safety standards and the provision of conventional amenities. In the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)'s 2019 Masterplan, a prominent theme revolves around rejuvenating Familiar Spaces. One of the strategies employed within the plan involves collaborative efforts with partner agencies and stakeholders to implement place-making initiatives, such as community storyboards and heritage walks. Placemaking efforts entail active stewardship, wherein local communities assume greater ownership and influence over their communal areas, particularly in actively managed public spaces like neighbourhoods. When local communities, business operators, and property owners take enhanced ownership of their neighbourhoods or precincts, they can implement tailored ideas and solutions that address their specific needs. This heightened sense of ownership fosters a collaborative environment conducive to injecting increased vibrancy into their precincts. The success of placemaking efforts is evaluated by analysing social and cultural outcomes experienced by space users. One method used for this assessment is the Project for Public Spaces (PPS) approach, which includes measuring and understanding the impact of placemaking initiatives on the community, such as enhanced social interactions, improved access to amenities, and strengthened sense of community. The PPS method provides a comprehensive evaluation of how well placemaking efforts are serving the intended objectives.