In the intricate dance of urban development, where blueprints meet budgets and grand visions collide with practicalities, placemaking is a powerful, often underestimated tool for cities to use. Placemaking is not about seismic overhauls or multi-million dollar construction projects, but rather the subtle yet profound art of shaping perception, fostering connection, and driving transformational change within a city or organization, long before any ground is broken.
We've witnessed this firsthand. Our collaborations, from the vibrant, national energy of Cosign to the street art transformation of spaces and restaurant work we’ve done on the Kentucky side of the river, illustrate how strategic placemaking initiatives can do more than just boost entertainment or the local economy. They develop new narratives for the cities they inhabit, creating spaces that are not only economically viable but also serve crucial functional roles—enhancing safety, promoting sustainability, and much more. These interventions fundamentally shift how communities perceive themselves and how individuals interact within those spaces, all for a fraction of the cost of traditional development. In fact, successful placemaking often acts as a catalyst, attracting the very development investment it initially seems to circumvent.
A City Councilman's Perspective: Real Power and Purpose in Placemaking
For additional real-world perspective, We spoke with Cincinnati City Councilman Mark Jeffreys, who shared compelling examples of placemaking's tangible impact in his own community:
- Smale Park: From Asphalt to Urban Oasis. Councilman Jeffreys points to Smale Park as the quintessential example. What was once an under-utilized parking lot has been transformed into a vibrant riverfront park, a testament to the power of reimagining public space. This iconic project has generated an estimated $1.2 billion in economic impact, proving that thoughtful design and community-centric development can yield monumental returns. (For a deeper dive, see Councilman Jeffreys' video here).
- Transforming Transit Centers: Safety Through Design. Addressing challenges at transit centers, Cincinnati implemented community-led interventions that saw remarkable results. By actively engaging community partners, these initiatives led to a 50% reduction in violent crime and a 56% decrease in juvenile arrests. This demonstrates how placemaking, even in seemingly challenging environments, can create safer, more inviting public spaces. (Read more here).
- Pedestrian Safety in Avondale: Kids as Placemakers. In a brilliant example of grassroots placemaking, Cincinnati tackled speeding in front of Rockdale Elementary School in Avondale. Partnering with a non-profit and the school, they installed concrete barriers that the children themselves painted. This simple, $3,000 solution reduced speeding by an impressive 45%, highlighting how small, creative interventions can yield significant safety improvements and foster community pride. (See the story here).
Where Do You Start? Your Placemaking Playbook
If these examples spark your imagination but leave you wondering where to begin, here are some guiding principles to kickstart your placemaking journey:
1. Know Your Community's Real Story: Forget generic slogans or aspirational branding. Dive deep into the authentic narrative of your community. Walk its streets, dine in its local eateries, frequent its unique establishments, and truly experience its events. What are its unspoken traditions? What are its hidden gems? Authenticity is the bedrock of compelling placemaking. Be honest about who you are, not just who you aspire to be.
2. Embrace Incremental Change: You don't need a monumental budget or a decade-long plan to start. Begin with small, low-cost interventions that can demonstrate immediate impact and build momentum. These "lighter, quicker, cheaper" tactics can test ideas, gather feedback, and energize the community for larger projects.
3. Foster True Collaboration: Placemaking is a collaborative endeavor. Engage diverse stakeholders—residents, local businesses, artists, non-profits, and city officials. When people feel ownership and have a voice in the design and implementation, the resulting spaces are more resilient, more beloved, and more truly representative of the community's desires.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Get Weird: The most impactful placemaking often defies convention. Think beyond the ordinary. Embrace quirky, unexpected, and even "weird" ideas that genuinely reflect the spirit of your place. Innovation often emerges from a willingness to experiment and challenge the status quo.
5. Respect perception as a pillar of ROI.: While economic benefits are often a welcome byproduct, consider the broader impact. How has the initiative improved social cohesion? Increased safety? Enhanced public health? Placemaking's true value often lies in its ability to foster a stronger sense of identity, belonging, and well-being.
Placemaking is ultimately an act of strategic visioning. It's about recognizing that our cities and towns are more than just collections of buildings; they are living, breathing ecosystems shaped by human interaction and shared experiences. By investing in thoughtful placemaking, we empower communities to build not just structures, but vibrant, enduring legacies that resonate for generations to come. It's the powerful invitation to shape the future, one thoughtfully designed public space at a time.
By starting with story, you can better equip residents, newcomers, and partners with a playbook that helps them understand what makes sense for your community.
Want to learn more? Reach out to us today.
