Placemaking is an art and a science. Here, we publish original research and free practical resources for you.
The ‘The Economics of Placemaking’’: why social success drives commercial profit
The ‘The Economics of Placemaking’’: why social success drives commercial profit
Does good design actually pay off? Tom Payne from Hoyne explains the “Place Economy” and why social success is the secret to commercial profit.
Energy Positive Architecture: Why buildings must give back more than they take
Energy Positive Architecture: Why buildings must give back more than they take
Energy Positive Architecture isn’t just about solar panels. Alex Hoffman explains how buildings can generate community, well-being, and connection.
The Art of Authenticity: Why ‘Context’ is the Most Important Ingredient in Placemaking
The Art of Authenticity: Why ‘Context’ is the Most Important Ingredient in Placemaking
When a public space feels truly great, it doesn’t feel like an accident. It feels inevitable. It belongs. It doesn’t feel like it’s been dropped in from outer space. This feeling is the result of authentic placemaking, an approach that grounds the design in the history, culture, and physical environment of its location.
Designing the Designers: Why Our Public Spaces Are Failing the ‘Empathy Test’
Designing the Designers: Why Our Public Spaces Are Failing the ‘Empathy Test’
We know how to build cool cities, so why are we still building hot ones? Dr. Nick Stevens explains the “predict and provide” trap and why we need to design for mental health.
The Missing Ingredient: Why ‘Perfect’ Public Spaces Often Feel Soulless
The Missing Ingredient: Why ‘Perfect’ Public Spaces Often Feel Soulless
Why do expensive public spaces often feel empty? Brooke Williams explains why “people” are the missing ingredient and how to design with community fingerprints.
Beyond Screens: How Digital Placemaking Brings ‘Dead’ Spaces to Life
Beyond Screens: How Digital Placemaking Brings ‘Dead’ Spaces to Life
Is technology ruining our public spaces or saving them? Daniel Hewitt from FutureLabs explains how “Digital Placemaking” can solve real urban problems, from vandalism to biodiversity.
The Walkable Island: Can Downtown LA Save Itself (Again)?
The Walkable Island: Can Downtown LA Save Itself (Again)?
Is Los Angeles really just a city of cars? Urbanist Brigham Yen shares the history of Downtown LA, the power of Adaptive Reuse, and the fight to save the “walkable island.”
More Than Just Plants: Why Great Places Need ‘Community DNA’
More Than Just Plants: Why Great Places Need ‘Community DNA’
Is landscape architecture just about plants? David Hatherly explains why great public spaces need “community DNA” and how to navigate the politics of design.
Citizen Placemaking: Why ‘Just Starting’ is Better Than Perfect Planning
Citizen Placemaking: Why ‘Just Starting’ is Better Than Perfect Planning
Do you need a budget to improve your street? Dean Cracknell says no. Here is the Town Team guide to “Citizen Placemaking” and why action beats planning.
The Soul of Place: Why cities need ‘Love’ to survive
The Soul of Place: Why cities need ‘Love’ to survive
Gilbert Rochecouste, founder of Village Well, explains why “Love” is the most important ingredient in urban design and how to find the unique DNA of a city.
Public Art is the ‘Gateway Drug’: Designing for Happiness in the Urban Realm
Public Art is the ‘Gateway Drug’: Designing for Happiness in the Urban Realm
Is public art just decoration? Victoria Jones explains why it is the “gateway drug”
300,000 Streets: Why local agency is the key to urban regeneration
300,000 Streets: Why local agency is the key to urban regeneration
How do we transform 300,000 streets? Nina Sharp explains why local agency, biodiversity, and “girls riding bikes” are the keys to regenerative cities.
The intersection of creativity and placemaking: why successful places need ‘story’
The intersection of creativity and placemaking: why successful places need ‘story’
Do we need creativity to build better cities? Architect Phil Smith discusses the role of the ‘creative practitioner’ and why successful places rely on story.
Phil Smith explains why creativity isn’t just a hobby—it’s a critical tool for building cities people love.
Navigating blind: why ‘shorelining’ is the hidden logic of street design
Navigating blind: why ‘shorelining’ is the hidden logic of street design
How do the blind navigate your city? Dave Dean explains ‘shorelining’, tactile indicators and why a-frame signs are a major hazard.
The Citizen Veto: How Human Comfort Forces Urban Policy Change
The Citizen Veto: How Human Comfort Forces Urban Policy Change
Why do main streets fail? Because citizens “vote with their feet.” We explain how human comfort forces policy changes in urban design.
The neuroscience of texture: why ‘slick’ cities cause stress
The neuroscience of texture: why ‘slick’ cities cause stress
Why do modern cities make us feel stressed? Mark McClelland explains the neuroscience of texture and why we need ‘urban patina’ instead of concrete.
Beyond Ramps: A Guide to Sensory Urban Design & Neurodiverse Public Spaces
Beyond Ramps: A Guide to Sensory Urban Design & Neurodiverse Public Spaces
To create truly inclusive places—spaces that welcome the 1 in 20 people with sensory processing disorders, as well as those with autism, dementia, or anxiety—we must move beyond physical compliance. We must design for the mind as well as the body.
The 7 Senses Public Space Audit Checklist
FREE DOWNLOAD
The 7 Senses Public Space Audit Checklist
Low-Cost, High-Impact Actions for Citizen Placemaking
FREE DOWNLOAD
Low-Cost, High-Impact Actions for Citizen Placemaking
Checklist for People-Centered Placemaking & Community Ownership
FREE DOWNLOAD
Checklist for People-Centered Placemaking & Community Ownership
Designing for Heat, Health & Human Comfort in a Warming Climate Checklist
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Designing for Heat, Health & Human Comfort in a Warming Climate Checklist
Strategic Checklist for Maximising Commercial & Social Value
FREE DOWNLOAD
Strategic Checklist for Maximising Commercial & Social Value
Checklist for Gender-Sensitive & Socially Equitable Public Spaces
FREE DOWNLOAD
Checklist for Gender-Sensitive & Socially Equitable Public Spaces
4 Reasons to Adopt a Creative Placemaking Approach in your Urban Renewal Program
4 Reasons to Adopt a Creative Placemaking Approach in your Urban Renewal Program
Creative placemaking helps to contribute to the local economy during the building phase of the project by involving locals in the process. Local materials are sourced and local tradespeople and artists are engaged to help create the outcomes. The engagement and participation of locals is part of the way in which authenticity is created.
Fix Your Struggling Town - A Community Driven Process
Fix Your Struggling Town - A Community Driven Process
In May 2020 POMO set about establishing a community action group in Nambour. The group is comprised of community members from a wide range of backgrounds who are generating bottom-up solutions to the challenges that the town faces.
Placemaking Design Principles for Knowledge Precincts
Placemaking Design Principles for Knowledge Precincts
Since the 1990’s the global economy has been undergoing rapid change and unprecedented growth thanks to the impact of the internet, nanotechnologies and the dot com boom. (New Economy, N.D) The central driver of this global change has been knowledge and the way in which it has come to be produced, mobilised and internationally commercialised.
Flexible Working Makes City-Sense
Flexible Working Makes City-Sense
In these times of Covid, as we all adapt to working from home, we might take a moment to think about the positive change that these arrangements have had, and could continue to have on the liveability of our cities and our broader environment.
Are There Any Flaws In Our Smart City Vision?
Are There Any Flaws In Our Smart City Vision?
For several decades, cities who have implemented tech-based innovation have become known as ‘smart cities’ and as Saunders (2015) comments, “the combination of sensors, data and advanced computing has promised to speed up information flows, reduce waste and sharply improve how efficiently resources can be managed.”
Crime in Public Places & What to Do About It?
Crime in Public Places & What to Do About It?
Every terrible act of crime perpetrated in a public place raises many complex questions none of which have simple answers. The recent murder of a Melbourne woman walking through a public park is no exception. Questions are being asked on all fronts right now and surely it is the responsibility of us all to try and bring about change.
Renewing Urban Spaces for Community & Commercial Gain
Renewing Urban Spaces for Community & Commercial Gain
This article explores one aspect of the role that POMO plays in these important projects - the creation of an urban renewal design strategy.
Transforming privately owned public spaces into thriving community and commercial environments is helping lead the revitalisation of town centres around Australia.
