Sir Stuart Lipton on Place Making

Founder Chairman of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment had some reflections on Place Making in yesterday’s Financial Times :

“Place-making is important, he says, referring to the village green concept, a communal civic space where people can congregate. An appropriate neighbourhood can reduce crime, enhance health and improve education….

“The biggest shift for me is that people want to work in more interesting places. Quality of life is the driving force. People want to have fun, not just turn up for work. Society has changed and people want to live and work in places that resemble their lifestyles rather than stuffy acres of marble in boring environments.””

Place Making & West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy (WMRSS)

At the South Worcestershire hearing of the draft Phase 2 WMRSS Examination (just finished), the Panel suggested “Place Making” be undertaken for the fringe areas between, in and around Worcester’s railway stations. Many Thanks to the Panel for this helpful suggestion.

Place Making appears to have 2 main connotations, both of which would be applicable in the present context :

1. Urban Design and Public Realm Work
2. Inward Investment & Destination Marketing

However, some commentators and practitioners assign even wider definitions : see www.pps.org from which the following is taken

“THINKING BEYOND THE STATION CAMPAIGN GOALS

The overarching goal of Thinking Beyond the Station is to fully integrate transit stations into the communities they serve through transit-supportive urban design, architecture, public art, and innovative management techniques. This involves educating transit planners, transit board members, and transit policy decision-makers about the elements that create vital places around transit stations and fee-for-service pilot projects to implement these principles.

The initiative also aims to educate the design and development community and the general public about transportation planning, urban design, and the opportunities to create community assets around public transit stations. In so doing, it will expand the understanding of the technical decisions such as alignment, station location and design factors that contribute to increased transit ridership and community value. Additionally, by advocating for policy changes that support the funding and construction of transit facilities, Thinking Beyond the Station provides real and tangible community benefits through the integration of transit facilities into surrounding communities.”

Incidentally, the above image correlates with Worcester’s current heatwave, although we would be looking for a more heritage-orientated design solution.