Placemaking and Good Design - Introduction and Principles

Positive placemaking and good design are key components in the delivery of high quality, attractive and sustainable places within our Borough, places that respect and reflect local character, places where people will want to live, work, invest and relax. Placemaking is a people-centred approach to the planning, design and stewardship of new developments and public spaces. It seeks to enhance the unique and distinctive qualities of a place, how these have developed over time and what they will be like in the future. The key to successful placemaking is the relationship between different buildings, its streets and surroundings and the quality of the public realm. A collaborative approach should be pursued involving everyone involved with or affected by new development. This entails identifying the assets of a particular place and developing a vision for its potential. It acknowledges the need for quality, place-specific design, whilst at the same time, making best use of limited resources. It also promotes accessibility for all and recognises the importance of creating hospitable, safe, vibrant and adaptable places which contribute to community cohesion, with a long-term, well maintained and sustainable future. Good design is not just limited to the appearance of our buildings and places, but encompasses broader themes about how we as people interact with our environment and how our buildings and spaces will function over their lifetime. Rather than being seen as a costly, prohibitive exercise, good design can deliver value outcomes, for example enhancing our environment, meeting the long-term needs of users, developing a positive sense of place and the efficient use of resources. Good design can assist the creation of safe places and can bring significant health benefits. It also has the potential to contribute greatly to tackling climate change. Good design will respect our historic environment, reflect the local distinctiveness displayed by the unique places in our Borough and enhance the value of our natural heritage assets.