European inventory of
societal values of culture

CULTURE AND PLACE-MAKING

Placemaking is a concept and practice used in urban planning, design, and space management with the aim of creating inclusive and attractive public spaces that meet community needs. This approach emphasises the importance of people and community in shaping and transforming space.

The main goal of placemaking is to create spaces that attract people, encourage social interaction, promote culture, art, and recreation, and improve the quality of life of the local population. Placemaking recognises that public spaces play an essential role in communities' social and cultural lives and are critical to creating a sense of place and identity.

Placemaking is an approach that prioritises people over buildings, traffic, and infrastructure in general. One of the key principles of placemaking is people-centred design. The space must be comfortable, safe and accessible to all community members. Another principle mentioned in place-making is a mixed-use development, which promotes combined housing, the commercial part of the city, and public spaces with a particular focus on accessibility and the use of means of transport by bicycle or walking. Placemaking recognises the importance of community engagement in designing and developing public spaces. Users think about their own needs and ways to satisfy them. Placemaking also emphasises the importance of sustainable practices in urban design. This involves incorporating green infrastructure, active transportation, and energy-efficient design principles into the design of public spaces.

This concept has great importance for cultural policy for several reasons. One of them is preserving the community's cultural identity by preserving cultural symbols and traditions. Cultural activities can be carried out in the spaces created through place-making, such as theaters and libraries, which are also places of interaction for residents. Culturally rich and interestingly designed spaces become attractions for tourists. This encourages cultural tourism, which can influence artistic projects and contribute to spreading the cultural influence of the city or region. At the same time, this concept can attract investors, business projects, and jobs to the area, contributing to the community's economic development and prosperity. One of the reasons for advocating this approach to spatial planning is the cohesion of residents and the inclusion of minority groups, both through the accessibility of space and through content that celebrates cultural diversity. Place-making can foster the development of creative industries, including art, design, architecture, culinary arts, and other forms of cultural production. (DG)