5.5 How are places created through placemaking processes? Flashcards
5.5 How are places created through placemaking processes?
Key idea ➡ Place is produced in a variety of ways at different scales.
How places are produced by a range of people
The world’s population reached 7 billion in 2011 and is expected to climb to between 9 and 10 billion by 2050. Urban places are at the forefront of this growth but increasing interconnection between places means that many rural places will also experience significant growth.
The role of governments and other organisations in placemaking
It has been suggested that between 60% and 80% of all data now includes a locational component. The explosion in the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) has meant that more and more people and governments are using geography as part of their work.
Geographical Information Systems
Can be denoted as GIS. A set of computer tools used to capture, store, transform, analyze, and display geographic data.
The attraction of Foreign Direct Investment
With the growth of transnational corporations (TNCs) in all sectors of the economy, governments around the globe have been keen to encourage inward investment by TNCs.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has increased enormously since 1980 but with the ebbs and flows depending on the health of the global, regional (e.g. EU) or national economies.
Transnational corporations
Can be denoted as TNC. A company that conducts research, operates factories, and sells products in many countries, not just where its headquarters or shareholders are located.
TNCs choice of locations
Many TNCs have considerable choice when identifying locations for investment. Sometimes described as ‘placeless’, TNCs and their operations are widely distributed across several countries.
Foreign Direct Investment
Can be denoted as FDI. Investment made by a foreign company in the economy of another country.
Sources of FDI
Most FDI flows of capital are from TNCs headquartered in ACs, such as Barclays, Sony and Nestlé. Over 60 per cent their investments are in other ACs. TNCs originating from EDCs and even LIDCs are having an increasing presence regionally, and in some cases globally. An example is Tata (an Indian-based TNC).
Hitachi Rail (Mini Case study)
Page 179.
How planners and architects make places - Architecture
Architecture can make an important contribution to placemaking through the design of individual buildings. This has been true across the centuries and continues today.
Statement from CABE - How planners and architects make places
‘An efficient planning system and a good spatial plan are essential to achieving high-quality places and good design.’ This statement was made by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) in 2009. CABE is part of the Design Council and provides advice on architecture, urban design and public space.
How planners and architects make places - Local Authorities
Local authorities in the UK maintain their own planning departments. They develop a Local Plan for their own local areas which includes elements of place such as industrial and housing developments, transport and amenities such as parks.
This strategy is important in placemaking as it sets the framework for new buildings or uses of land. The Royal Town Planning Institute guides all professional planners working in local authorities, architecture firms and property consultancies.
Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment
Can be denoted as CABE. The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment was an executive non-departmental public body of the UK government, established in 1999. It is funded by Government.
How local community groups shape the place they live in
As has been identified in both Lympstone and Toxteth, local communities can have a significant influence in shaping places. As well as local political organisations such as councils, there are a whole host of groups whose activities go towards local place profiles.
Examples of local community groups that shape the place they live in
In some locations, residents’ associations have been in existence since the end of the 19th century. However, the majority came into existence in the 1920s and 1930s.
Residents’ associations
A group of residents or property owners who advocate for or organize activities within a neighborhood. An association may have elected leaders and voluntary dues.
Rebranding
Developments aimed at changing negative perceptions of a place making it more attractive to investment.
Why places rebrand
All places have an image. This image depends upon how people perceive a place. A number of separate images then come together to form a collective view of a particular place.
A place’s brand is the popular image the place has acquired and by which it is generally recognised. It includes both objective aspects, such as its location but also subjective ones such as its atmosphere, safety or level of economic activity. If a place has acquired a negative brand then rebranding can be attempted.
Rebranding in history
Rebranding is not a new phenomenon. After the Great Fire of London in 1666, Sir Christoper Wren, the foremost architect of the day, drew up a master plan which involved ridding the city of its medieval narrow streets and alleys.
His vision was of a number of large piazzas (squares) linked in a geometric manner by wide, long boulevards.
Key elements of rebranding
Brand: The city (and/or an area within the city)
-Brand artefact
-Brand essence
-Brandscape
Brand artefact (Key elements of rebranding)
The physical environment.
-Create a new environment.
-Reuse the existing environment.
-Remove the old environment.
Brand essence (Key elements of rebranding)
People’s experience of the brand.
-Living in the city.
-Working in the city.
-Visiting the city.
-Talking about the city.
Brandscape (Key elements of rebranding)
Comparison with competitor cities.
-Local.
-Regional.
-National.
-International.