5.a. Place is produced in a variety of ways at different scales

5.a. Place is produced in a variety of ways at different scales. • The concept of placemaking and how governments and organisations attempt to present places to the wider world to attract inward investment and regeneration. How architects and planners attempt to create meaningful and authentic places through design, such as places that encourage mixed community use or the 24 hour city. How local community groups shape the place they live, such as residents associations, heritage associations and social media.

Explain the concept of placemaking

• It is the multi-faceted, holistic approach that connects the concept of liveability, productivity, and sustainability to the specific places used by people

• It is a conscious objective to create productive and sustainable public living in spaces that promote health, happiness and wellbeing today and in the future of the people there

Who plays a role in placemaking

• Governments

• Planners and architects

• Local community groups

What is the government's role in placemaking

 

• Planning and policies

• Reducing inequality

• Increasing social cohesion

• Attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

• Improving environmental quality

How do governments use rebranding for placemaking

• They use slogans, logos, and targeted marketing campaigns to shift negative perceptions, attract FDI, and draw TNCs

What is FDI

 

• An investment made by a company or an individual in one country into business interests located in another country

Why do governments want to attract FDI when placemaking

• To advance the economic development of the place by creating new jobs

• To create competitive, dynamic and globally-connected place

• For access to new technology, products, skills

• To become more actively involved in international business activities

How do governments attract FDI

• Reinventing a place (e.g. Dubai)

• Creating places that are attractive to talented workers and so create the circumstances for substantial job creation and income growth by attracting businesses that are looking for talented workers

• Creating infrastructure (e.g. Science Park in Cambridge)

• Specific policies

Named example of FDI

 

• Hitachi rail in northeast England

• In Sep 2015, Hitachi rail europe (HRE) opened a new manufacturing plant in northeast England

• This plant represents a flow of £85 million of FDI from Japan into the UK

• Many car assembly plants in the UK have come from Japan such as Honda and Toyota, who have relocated to have plants in the UK

• Hitachi rail was given £5.7 billion by the UK government to build inter-city express trains for the UK

• A plant in Newton Aycliffe houses R&D and design departments

• The positive multiplier effect has arisen from this new plant

What is the role of architects and planning in placemaking

• An effective planning system and good spatial plan are essential to achieving high-quality places and good design

• Design can reflect both the history and culture of the place

• For example, sustainable urban design which is mixed-use and has public transit system makes healthy living and eco-friendly energy the standard

 

Architects role with crime

 

• Architects can design how a place is perceived by criminals, leading to less crime

• Clear boundaries (such as outside of houses), lighting, and natural surveillance (such as floor to ceiling windows) can stop crime

How do local authorities in the UK contribute to design

• Local authorities in the UK maintain their own planning departments

• They develop a Core strategy for their own local areas which includes elements of place such as industrial and housing developments, transport, and amenities

• This strategy is important for placemaking because it sets the framework through which people live their lives

Explain the concept of a 24 hour city

• A city that operates 24 hours a day, often with distinct characteristics depending on the time of day

Why are 24-hour cities encouraged

• To combat growing urban populations

• To get rid of the perception that central places are deserted, threatening, and unsafe overnight

Why is London becoming a 24-hour city?

• because the population has grown by 6% since 2014

• Because London is attracting more tourists, especially those from countries where late-night entertainment and dining is common

• Because more people are working shifts at night or early mornings, requiring more infrastructure that is open for 24 hours a day

How is London becoming a 24-hour city?

 

• There are twice as many night bus routes today compared to 1999

• The Central, Victoria, Piccadilly, Jubilee, and Northern lines all run on Friday and Saturday nights

• Over 600 24-hour McDonalds

• More 24-hour gyms, hairdressers, and longer opening times for theatres, museums etc

What are community groups?

• A group or organisation which works for the public benefit

• Example - neighbourhood watch, national trust, school or church groups

 

What is the role of residents associations (example of community groups) in placemaking

• To address issues in the local area

• Act as a voice for the local community

• Examples of action include participatory planning - an urban planning technique that emphasises involving the entire community in processes of urban planning

Why do local residents groups want to play in a role in placemaking

• They want to protect historic architecture, prevent places from turning into generic clone towns, and promote the reusing of industrial sites

• Other players may just focus on making profit so it is up to these players to keep the local community at the heart of everything

What are the criteria for a sustainable community

• Sense of identity and belonging

• Tolerance, respect and engagement for people from different cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs

• Friendly and co-operative behaviour in neighbourhoods

• Opportunities for cultural, leisure, community events

• Low levels of crime and anti-social behaviour

• Similar life opportunities for people

How does social media contribute to placemaking

 

• Increased social media means people can share their views easily

• Likes and positive reactions to social media posts can be used to help improve a place

Named example of creative placemaking

• Macarthur park in Los angeles

• There was a graffiti-covered bandshell present in the park in 2007

• A national program called Levitt LA removed the chain-link fence surrounding this bandshell and made it accessible for the public

• This positive programming sparked transformation in the once crime-ridden park

• It is now a family friendly gathering place for local residents

• There are 50 free concerts a year

AO2 - what are the limits of top-down placemaking like Hitachi rail

• These focus too much on economic productivity at the expense of local identity and community cohesion

• Gentrification -- inward investment and flagship regeneration can widen the "rent gap," pricing out original lower-income residents and eroding authentic local culture.

 

AO2- limits of bottom up placemaking

• They lack the financial resources and power to execute large-scale regeneration on their own

AO2 - conflict between players

• Governments and TNCs prioritise ROI, whereas planners and architects prioritise sustainability, design and 24-hour vitality, whereas local residents prioritise crime reduction, affordability, and local heritage protection

• This means that players have conflicting priorities