place-making

Syllable breakdown

Dictionary meaning

a collaborative urban design process and philosophy that transforms public spaces into vibrant, inclusive, and meaningful places by centering the needs, aspirations, and creativity of the communities that use them; pioneered by the Project for Public Spaces and influenced by urban thinkers Jane Jacobs and William H. Whyte, place-making prioritises human scale, diverse programming, community ownership, and sensory richness over monofunctional or car-oriented design; successful place-making fosters social interaction, local identity, and economic vitality in streets, squares, parks, and waterfronts