Placemaking: Transforming local spaces for communities in Manchester
Placemaking is a people-centred approach focused on creating spaces that foster community. There has been a shift in Manchester from designing functional spaces to those that promote social interaction.
As urban areas evolve, the focus is shifting from purely functional spaces to those that foster community, engagement, and a sense of belonging. Placemaking is a people-centred approach that turns everyday spaces into vibrant neighbourhood hubs, promoting social interaction and local pride.
What is placemaking?
Placemaking is about designing and managing public spaces to reflect the unique needs and identity of a community. The process involves the participation of local residents in helping to shape their surroundings, ensuring that spaces are not just functional but also meaningful, lively, and connected.
Key principles of placemaking
- Community-led - the best placemaking is driven by local residents, who know what their neighbourhoods need.
- Human-centred design - public areas, whether streets or small squares, should encourage walking, sitting, and socialising, with thoughtful additions like benches, greenery, and play areas.
- Local identity - successful placemaking celebrates a community’s culture and history, helping create spaces that reflect its unique character.
- Inclusivity - public spaces should be accessible and welcoming to all, ensuring that everyone feels they belong.
- Flexibility - public spaces evolve. Adaptable designs—like those that allow pop-up markets or temporary events—keep neighbourhoods lively and relevant.
Why placemaking matters
- Building community connections - placemaking creates spaces that encourage social interaction. Whether it's a pocket park or a pedestrian-friendly street, well-designed spaces help neighbours come together and form stronger community bonds.
- Improving wellbeing - well-maintained green spaces and open areas promote mental and physical health by offering residents a place to relax, walk, or cycle, reducing stress and encouraging healthy lifestyles.
- Supporting the local economy - revitalised public spaces often support local businesses by attracting more foot traffic, creating a thriving economy at the neighbourhood level.
- Promoting sustainability - placemaking can reduce reliance on cars by promoting walkability and cycling, and integrating green spaces contributes to a more sustainable urban environment.
- Strengthening neighbourhood identity - when people feel a sense of ownership over public spaces, they become more invested in taking care of them, fostering a stronger and more cohesive community spirit.
Micro-level placemaking examples in Manchester
- Levy Market, Levenshulme - this much missed market in Levenshulme helped transform the area into a key community hub. By bringing in local traders, food stalls, and events, it fostered a space for social interaction and connection, breathing new life into a once-overlooked part of south Manchester.
- Platt Fields Market Garden - a community-led urban gardening project transforming part of Platt Fields Park into a sustainable food-growing hub. The garden hosts workshops, community events, and volunteers from the local area who help with food production and promote sustainability and education about food.
- Angel Meadow Park Community Group - a group of local volunteers dedicated to the maintenance and improvement of Angel Meadow Park. The group organises clean-ups, community events, and planting days to foster a sense of ownership and pride in the local green space.
How to get involved in local placemaking
You don’t need to be an urban planner to get involved in placemaking. Here are a few ways you can contribute to shaping your local area:
- Attend local planning meetings - engage with local authorities and contribute your ideas for public spaces in your area.
- Organise or join local events - help bring your community together through street parties, market days, or park clean-ups.
- Support public art projects - participate in or promote community art installations, murals, or other creative endeavours that celebrate local culture.
- Volunteer with local organisations - get involved with groups like City of Trees or Forever Manchester to help shape your neighbourhood's spaces.
Conclusion
Placemaking is about creating spaces where people feel connected and invested in their local communities. Whether through markets, parks, or public squares, placemaking on a micro-neighbourhood level has a significant impact on the quality of life. With organisations like We Love MCR Charity and Forever Manchester driving local projects, Manchester is full of opportunities for people to come together and transform their surroundings. By embracing community input and sustainability, placemaking helps create more liveable, inclusive neighbourhoods that reflect the unique character of each area.
