2. How are places created through place making processes?
Key Idea 5a: Place is produced in a variety of ways at different scales.
Learning Objectives:
To understand how town planners and architects contribute to place making.

3. What is placemaking?
Placemaking is a multi-faceted approach to the planning, design and management of public spaces.
Placemaking capitalises on a local community's assets, inspiration, and potential, with the intention of creating public spaces that promote people's health, happiness, and well being.
It has people at the heart
It is about how the environment and society would benefit
Therefore placemaking purely for economic gain is not possible

4. Who creates places? Governments (national to local scale)
Local community groups
Planners and architects

5. How planners and architects make places
Architecture has always been a significant factor in place making. Individual buildings, public spaces and the appearance of neighbourhoods is influenced by the designs architects come up with.
Architecture can influence the use made of the built environment and leads to places either being perceived positively or negatively.
For example, the residential high-rise blocks built in many cities in Europe between 1950 and 1980 created places which people found unappealing and led to isolation for their inhabitants.
They were often poorly built, suffered form issues such as damp and were expensive to heat.
In contrast, the water developments of the late 20th and early 21st century such as London Docklands have generally been seen positively in terms of remaking these places.

6. Why is design important when making places?
It can reflect the history and culture of the place.
Design can also influence how our lives are lived.
However some places can lead to crime, vandalism, high maintenance costs, poor health and a feeling of isolation for those living in them.
Design that pleases people and works well tends to be valued and cared for.

7. Between 1950 and 1980, the UK faced a huge housing shortage due to a rapidly growing population and the fact that many inner city areas, the housing stock was either destroyed or badly damaged in the war. This led to planners and architects designing cheap, system-built housing e.g. tower blocks of flats.
These structures created places that often had a negative image.

8. Hulme, Inner city, Manchester
Orchard Park, Hull
Park Hill, Sheffield

9. Tasks: 1. Describe the image below and explain why these tower blocks are poorly designed and create a negative place. Consider when and why they were built: play areas; size of dwelling; lifts; gardens; location. 2. Can you suggest a more appropriate design?

10. 3. For the images below, suggest why the design of these buildings is positive. Consider location; parking spaces; environment; sustainable features; cycle lanes; bike locks etc. Create a list of ‘desirable’ design features.

11. Gateshead Millennium Bridge
Identify the images below.
What contribution do these structures make to the identity of the place in which they are located?
The Shard - The Shard's influence already extends beyond the boundaries of its site, and Southwark council is bullish about making Bermondsey what Fiona Colley, council cabinet member for regeneration, calls "London's third business district", after the City and the West End.
Gateshead - In 1996 Gateshead Council launched a competition to find a bridge that would link developments on both sides of the River Tyne and also complement the existing six bridges crossing the river - Allowed ships to pass underneath; Did not overshadow the world famous view of the existing bridges; Didn't obstruct the Quayside
Sydney Opera House - The Sydney Opera House is Australia's most recognisable building and is an icon of Australia's creative and technical achievement. It is placed right at the end of Bennelong Point, juxtaposed to the harbour and completely to scale in relation to the Harbour Bridge, the sandstone cliff face, Macquarie Street and Circular Quay. Viewed from a ferry, from the air, or by approach on foot, the vision is dramatic and unforgettable.
Petronas Towers - the Petronas Towers are part of a well-executed scheme to convince the world that the country of Malaysia, as embodied by its capital, KL, is as modern and advanced as the towers themselves. 
Gateshead Millennium Bridge
Sydney Opera House
Petronas Towers
The Shard

16. Improve environment by including trees and shrubs and open spaces
Improve environment by including trees and shrubs and open spaces. Aims to improve air quality and provide an attractive environment for residents and workers.
Vertical land use-zoning e.g. ground floor shops and restaurants/cafes with higher floors for residential. Aims to maximise the use of space and having accommodation on higher floors reduces noise.
Pedestrianise streets and walkways which allows for safer environment; social space particularly if street furniture designed e.g. benches; picnic tables.
Design modern buildings e.g. offices with large windows to increase sunlight; made out of glass; to provide an attractive place to work.
Mixed land-use e.g. residential; commercial; retail; employment and transport – all aim to encourage mixed community use and develop a sense of community and sense of place which serves people of a wide ranging identity.
Variety of accommodation in terms of size; community space; designed and built around central square – sense of community. Incorporate sustainable features e.g. solar panels.

17. Exam Style question:
Give 2 examples of how architecture can lead to negative placemaking and 2 examples of where it has led to positive placemaking. (4 marks).