In today's urban planning landscape, the term "placemaking" is everywhere–from the pages of urban planning trade journals to local government conferences. But amid all the buzz, what exactly does placemaking entail? And how can we tackle it when local government leaders are juggling numerous demands for limited tax dollars?

Understanding Placemaking

Think of placemaking as urban planning with a twist. Instead of just focusing on buildings and roads, it is all about creating spaces that people actually want to spend time in. At its essence, placemaking is about transforming ordinary spaces into vibrant hubs of activity and social interaction. Whether it's a bustling city square, a serene park, or a vibrant neighborhood market, successful placemaking endeavors share a common goa–fostering a sense of belonging and pride among residents. Consider your favorite vacation spots or places you've called home; chances are, the spaces that left a lasting impression were those with a distinct "sense of place."

Low-Hanging Fruit: Four Easy Places to Start

While iconic placemaking destinations like New York City's High Line or San Francisco's Yerba Buena Gardens are awe-inspiring, initiating such grand projects can be daunting. The good news is, there are plenty of simple, budget-friendly starting points when identifying placemaking opportunities in your community. Here are some ideas to kickstart your placemaking journey:

1. Take stock of what you have and identify areas in need of sprucing up. In Cedar Park, Texas, the city and its development partner are redeveloping an outdated commercial corridor. The project will take more than a decade to complete, which means the “please excuse the mess” construction phase is lengthy. By commissioning public murals on the back of a vacant strip center that will eventually be demolished, it provided a branding opportunity for the development, and has become a popular selfie spot area for residents. Public restroom facilities in parks, underpasses, and vacant storefronts are also ripe for transformation through inexpensive public art installations. These bland locations can become places that give character and energy to an area.

2. Focus on creating a place that is memorable. Successful placemaking projects leave a lasting impression and feel intentionally designed. Take Pflugerville, Texas, for example, where the city transformed a former alley near City Hall into the "Best Little Plaza in Texas.” With a little bit of funding, and a lot of creativity and sweat equity from the community, the revamped area incorporates art, gardens, interactive musical instruments, and seating areas. It doesn’t have to be complicated to be a good project.

3. Integrate placemaking into long-range planning efforts and ensure your development codes accommodate it. Include placemaking initiatives in your city's comprehensive plan, reflecting the community's vision for vibrant public spaces. Moreover, ensure that development codes and regulations allow for creativity and innovation, avoiding limitations that stifle placemaking potential. Nothing is worse than your public getting excited about plans for a dynamic, unique parklet only to discover your code doesn’t allow string lights. In other words, create the conditions for good things to happen within the confines of government codes and regulations.

4. Take calculated risks, even small ones. In local government, fear of backlash can hinder progress. Will everyone like this funky piece of art we’ve chosen? What if people hate the neon orange outdoor furniture? Start with low-stakes projects or introduce initiatives as temporary pilots to gauge community response. Remember, nothing ventured, nothing gained–and in a competitive urban landscape, creating memorable spaces is worth the investment to stand out.

Ultimately, placemaking isn't just about shaping physical environments; it's about fostering connections, enhancing quality of life, and setting your community apart in the municipal arena.

Listen to Katherine on ICMA's Voices in Local Government podcast. EP47 Local Gov Life Advice: Career Moves, Coworkers, and Council.