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PROSPEROUS
CO-OPERATIVE
COMMUNITY
HUBS & SPACES
AGRIFOOD
BUSINESS/ACTIVITY
COMMUNITY
GROUPS
GREEN
LAND USE
RENT LEVELS
TYPE OF ACTIVITIES
WELCOMING
HOME
TYPES & TENURE
BUILDING
CONDITIONS
RENTAL SALES
THINGS TO DO
MULTI-
FUNCTIONAL
WILDLIFE
ECOLOGY SURVEYS
GREEN & BLUE
INFRASTRUCTURE
PUBLIC OPEN
SPACE
GREEN ROOFS
& WALLS
SUSTAINABLE
NUMBER/DENSITY
BENCHES/SITTING
RURAL VS URBAN
INNOVATIVE
ACCESSIBLE
WALKABLE
PROXIMITY TO
SERVICES
(TIME - 15min)
PUBLIC
TRANSPORT
PEDESTRIAN
ACTIVITY
TRANSIT USAGE
CYCLABLE
WELL LOOKED
AFTER
CHILDREN
ELDERLY
WOMEN
TYPES & NUMBER
PARTICIPATION
COMMUNITY GROUPS
FUN
SAFE
OUTDOOR LIFE
ACTIVITIES
CONVENIENT
WALKING RATES
CYCLE RATES
TRAFFIC DATA
EV CHARGING
NETWORK SAFE
CONNECTED
SITTABLE
TYPES & DENSITY
PLAY SPACES
BUILDING
CONDITIONS
FOODSCAPING
CRIME
STATISTICS
INSTAGRAMABLE
DEMOGRAPHICS
EVENING USE
STREET LIFE
DIVERSE
RECREATIONAL
FACILITIES
LOCAL/INNOVATIVE
BUSINESS
Youth, Democracy and Sustainable Citizenship
Reimagining the City and Empowering Young
People through Engagement with
Policy-Makers
Po
l
i
c
y
SHORT REPORT
PLACEMAKING
WITH YOUNG
ADULTS
The British Academy |
Dr Mirian Calvo, Susanna Dart,
Paul Hatch, Gillian Dobson and Kirsty
Chekansky| February 2024 Policy-Makers
P
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PROSPEROUS
CO-OPERATIVE
COMMUNITY
HUBS & SPACES
AGRIFOOD
BUSINESS/ACTIVITY
COMMUNITY
GROUPS
GREEN
LAND USE
RENT LEVELS
TYPE OF ACTIVITIES
WELCOMING
HOME
TYPES & TENURE
BUILDING
CONDITIONS
RENTAL SALES
THINGS TO DO
MULTI-
FUNCTIONAL
WILDLIFE
ECOLOGY SURVEYS
GREEN & BLUE
INFRASTRUCTURE
PUBLIC OPEN
SPACE
GREEN ROOFS
& WALLS
SUSTAINABLE
NUMBER/DENSITY
BENCHES/SITTING
RURAL VS URBAN
INNOVATIVE
ACCESSIBLE
WALKABLE
PROXIMITY TO
SERVICES
(TIME - 15min)
PUBLIC
TRANSPORT
PEDESTRIAN
ACTIVITY
TRANSIT USAGE
CYCLABLE
WELL LOOKED
AFTER
CHILDREN
ELDERLY
WOMEN
TYPES & NUMBER
PARTICIPATION
COMMUNITY GROUPS
FUN
SAFE
OUTDOOR LIFE
ACTIVITIES
CONVENIENT
WALKING RATES
CYCLE RATES
TRAFFIC DATA
EV CHARGING
NETWORK SAFE
CONNECTED
SITTABLE
TYPES & DENSITY
PLAY SPACES
BUILDING
CONDITIONS
FOODSCAPING
CRIME
STATISTICS
INSTAGRAMABLE
DEMOGRAPHICS
EVENING USE
STREET LIFE
DIVERSE
RECREATIONAL
FACILITIES
LOCAL/INNOVATIVE
BUSINESS
Youth, Democracy and Sustainable Citizenship
Reimagining the City and Empowering Young
People through Engagement with
Policy-Makers
Po
l
i
c
y
SHORT REPORT
PLACEMAKING
WITH YOUNG
ADULTS
The British Academy |
Dr Mirian Calvo, Susanna Dart,
Paul Hatch, Gillian Dobson and Kirsty
Chekansky| February 2024 Policy-Makers
32 Placemaking with Young Adults
CONTENTS
Section 1 |
Introduction
Executive
Summary
Section 2 |
Placemaking
Framework
Section 3 |
Placemaking
Workshops
Section 4 |
Data Analysis
Young Adults
Vision
References
Conclusions &
Acknowledgements
04
03
14 52
08
30
44
51
Appendix |
Placemaking
Framework
53
Discussion
Policymakers
Vision
48
46
54 Placemaking with Young Adults
This research project on
placemaking aimed to establish
collaborative ecosystems among
design-researchers, young
adults, and policymakers to
explore innovative methods for
sustainable planning policies
in the Lancaster District.
The project team conducted
placemaking workshops
involving 22 young adults
and 20 policymakers, held 12
interviews with participants
and experts, and facilitated over
80 participant interactions to
gather insights and aspirations
for sustainable development and
local planning policy.
The analysis of the gathered
data revealed several key
themes pertaining to design
and appearance, places and
spaces, movement and travel,
and social communities.
Notably, the analysis highlighted
the signicance of creating
welcoming spaces, implementing
well-developed active travel
infrastructure, incorporating
essential housing qualities,
promoting food growing
initiatives, oering diverse travel
options, utilising renewable
energy, and establishing a
strong sense of place identity.
The young adults who took part
in the workshops envisioned
a sustainable and inclusive
community that prioritises
aordability, active travel,
renewable energy, and social
cohesion. These principles
represent the fundamental
values and aspirations they
desire to be integrated into the
design and future development
planning of Lancaster District.
They aim to serve as a model
for other communities to follow,
contributing to a sustainable
future.
The ndings of this research
project oer valuable
insights for policymakers and
researchers seeking to cultivate
a sustainable and inclusive
community in the South
Lancaster area.
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
76 Placemaking with Young Adults
are health, economy, and immigration, whereas young people
aged 18-24 prioritise environment, economy, and housing.
Local authorities have limited knowledge about young people’s
understanding of sustainability and their vision for a thriving
and sustainable future. This presents a signicant opportunity to
translate young people’s pro-environmental values into action
through citizen participation at the local level.
Conceptualising citizen participation within the framework
of sustainability oers a pathway to eective governance and
enables direct civic involvement in policy co-design. The notion of
sustainability is commonly represented by the three-circle model,
illustrating the three pillars of environment, economy, and social
systems established by the United Nations (2002). These pillars
(White, 2013) underpin the Sustainable Development Goals and
have been integral to government agendas at all levels. Considering
the interconnectedness of these pillars, it is important to address
them simultaneously through transdisciplinary approaches
Figure 1. Three-pillars of sustainability
The objective of this research project is to establish collaborative
ecosystems between design-researchers, young adults aged 18-
30 in the Lancaster District, and policymakers from Lancaster City
Council and Lancashire County Council. The aim is to collectively
explore innovative methods to inform placemaking and sustainable
planning policies for the district, with a specic focus on future
development in South Lancaster. Led by Professor James Sloam
from Royal Holloway, University London, and funded by the British
Academy and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial
Strategy, this research pilot project called Youth, Democracy and
Sustainable Citizenship seeks to answer the question of what
constitutes a good city. The project team includes Dr Carina O’Reilly
from the University of Lincoln and Dr Mirian Calvo from Lancaster
University.
In light of the Paris Agreement, COP26 and the UK’s legally binding
commitment to achieving net zero by 2050, there has been an
increased emphasis on the green transition. However, it is essential
that metropolitan areas and local authorities involve citizens in this
process to co-create sustainable long-term policies. Despite the
recent youth protests confronting government inaction on climate
change, young people are oen excluded from the policymaking
process, and their unique perspectives can be challenging to bring
in through traditional engagement and consultation methods.
Citizen engagement typically favours older and wealthier groups,
whose priorities dominate the national and local political agenda.
This creates an issue as the political concerns of older individuals
dier from those of young people, who will bear the brunt of the
policies implemented today. Research by Sloam et al. (2021) reveals
that the top three political preferences of those over 65 years old
SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION
98 Placemaking with Young Adults
distinct phases: co-articulation of a placemaking framework
(February – May 2022), placemaking workshops, coding and
systematising data, and dissemination of the dataset and insights
to participants and interested groups. The rst step involved co-
developing a tailored placemaking framework that aligns with
the sustainability principles of the Lancaster District’s climate
emergency agenda (see Section 2, Figure 3). This process entailed
collaboration between local authority oicers and design-
researchers. The next step focused on designing and facilitating a
placemaking event that fostered collective engagement. The rst
workshop, held on the 28th of May 2022, centred on understanding
young adults’ views on sustainable living and involved the co-
production of a collective image (vision) representing their key
priorities for the placemaking framework.
Following the analysis of the data collected, the second workshop,
held on the 11th of July 2022, with policymakers built upon the
insights gathered from the rst workshop. This workshop co-created
environmental policies that align with young adults’ sustainability
aspirations, assessed policy feasibility, and prioritised areas of
focus. The outcomes of the second workshop informed the third
workshop, which engendered collaborative spaces where young
adults and policymakers could formulate aspirational statements
for climate-focused policies identied in the previous workshops.
Each placemaking event built upon the knowledge gained from
previous events to ensure a rigorous and responsive approach.
This process validates the tacit knowledge of participants
and experts regarding sustainable living, contributing to the
policymaking process for Lancaster Local Plan and the broader
district. All activities were conducted in adherence to government
regulations on Covid-19, prioritising the health and well-being of
participants and the research team.
(Dempsey et al., 2011). Community engagement plays a crucial role
in integrating the three pillars to tackle pressing societal and urban
challenges, making collaboration with local communities, and
drawing insights from young people particularly valuable.
The Placemaking with Young Adults phase, led by Dr Mirian
Calvo in collaboration with a team of local authority oicers from
Lancaster City Council, focuses on understanding the views and
aspirations of young adults regarding sustainability, creating
spaces for collaboration between policymakers and young adults,
and collectively identifying and co-designing sustainable policy
aspirations for Lancaster Local Plan and envisage a future vision.
This phase consisted of three placemaking events involving young
adults, policymakers, and academic partners from Lancaster
University. These events employed a participatory research
approach to bridge the gap between citizens and the public
sector, ensuring that city spaces are collectively envisioned and
designed to serve the needs of the people who inhabit them. The
data collected from these events was analysed using an ainity
diagramming-based method to extract key ndings.
The placemaking engagement events were organised into four
Figure 2. Placemaking workshop one: with young adults in Halton Mill, May 2022
Source: Research project
1110 Placemaking with Young Adults
Second, it is socially charged and specic to the context in which
it is applied. Third, it allows for collaboration between community
members and various experts, such as architects, urban designers,
artists, policymakers, planners, developers, city administrators,
and educators, giving equal agency to all. Lastly, it maximizes the
existing assets of a place and encourages creative connections
through economic, cultural, social, and environmental activities
that dene and support its ongoing evolution.
The emergence of placemaking as a response to urban issues and
its adaptability to new challenges is evident in the context of four
“post” discourses: post-capitalism, post-liberalism, post-pandemic,
and post-truth. Despite changing city demands and the needs of
urban inhabitants, placemaking remains relevant in both academic
scholarship and practical implementation.
The concept of placemaking originated in the 1970s and can be
attributed to the work of activists and experts in the eld. For
example, Whyte (1980) used ethnographic approaches in New
York City Planning to understand public spaces and their social
dynamics, while Jacobs (1961), an activist, advocated for involving
residents in the redesign of American cities. Alexander (1979)
explored placemaking aspects in architectural studies. These
individuals shared the belief that places thrive when designed
collectively, contributing to the formation of community identity
(Hayden, 1988). Harvey (1996) also emphasized the role of
placemaking in fostering a sense of belonging. Schneekloth and
Shibley (1995, p.1) oered a broader denition of placemaking,
stating that it encompasses the transformative actions we
undertake in the places we inhabit, such as constructing and
demolishing buildings, cultivating land, and reconguring our
surroundings. These actions play a crucial role in shaping our
identity as citizens and communities.
Placemaking, according to Keidar et al. (2023), is a complex concept,
approach, and set of planning tools used to shape public spaces.
Despite being actively practiced for the past two decades, its
denition has evolved over time and remains open to interpretation
(Courage, 2020). Placemaking has gained popularity among
various stakeholders, including grassroots community members,
developers, and local governments, as it is seen to promote
engagement, collaboration, and challenge exclusionary planning
processes (Markusen & Gadwa, 2018; 2010). While ongoing debates
persist regarding its meaning, placemaking is believed to have the
potential to address urban crises and improve urban life. Its unique
nature sets it apart from conventional planning approaches and can
involve informal interventions led by activists.
According to Courage et al. (2020), placemaking methodologies
embrace several principles. First, it prioritizes community
involvement in deciding the appearance and function of their place.
SECTION 2
PLACEMAKING FRAMEWORK
1312 Placemaking with Young Adults
it to align with the sustainable values and attributes emphasised
in the Lancaster District climate emergency declaration, Lancaster
District’s People’s Jury on Climate Change report (Bryant, 2020),
and the Lancaster’s Climate Emergency Local Plan Review. Through
an iterative process involving the research team and local urban
contexts, we nalised a placemaking framework specically tailored
to the Lancaster District context, as depicted in Figure 3.
Theme 1: Places and Spaces (inner ring)
This theme examines the attributes related to the quality of places
and spaces within a given area. It focuses on factors such as the
variety of activities available, the presence of green infrastructure,
connectivity to other locations, the welcoming nature of the space,
and the overall prosperity of the community. The measurements for
this theme include land use, the number of community groups, the
presence of local and innovative businesses, agri-food businesses
and activities, community hubs and spaces, the type and tenure of
homes, recreational facilities, and retail sales.
Theme 2: Movement and Travel (inner ring)
This theme assesses the attributes related to movement and travel
within the area. It considers factors such as the ease of cycling,
the safety of all users (including both crime and road safety), the
walkability of the area, the convenience of transportation networks,
and the accessibility of transport for all members of the community.
The measurements for this theme include traic data, the presence
of an EV charging network, cycling rates, walking rates, public
transport provision, and the proximity of services within a 10 to
15-minute distance.
Theme 3: Social Communities (inner ring)
This theme focuses on the attributes related to social interactions
and community engagement within the area. It examines factors
Sociability: encompasses the dynamics of interaction
among residents and other users of a place. Vibrant,
healthy places foster social gatherings, allow individuals
to engage with strangers in a secure environment, and
promote well-being.
Uses and activities: encompass the range of activities
and functions within a place. The presence of diverse and
engaging activities is crucial for a lively and enjoyable
place, while a lack of interesting activities may indicate a
problem.
Access and linkages: highlight the importance of
connectivity to the surroundings, including visual
connections. A well-designed place should be easily
accessible and facilitate seamless navigation for its users.
Comfort and image: capture the overall impression and
atmosphere of a place. Factors such as comfort, safety,
cleanliness, and the availability of amenities and seating
areas contribute to the overall image and appeal of a place.
1
2
3
4
The Project for Public Spaces (PPS), in the past ve decades, has
developed a comprehensive approach to placemaking inuenced
by Whyte’s (1980) research. PPS denes placemaking as a
community-centred design process that encourages innovative
patterns of use, with a focus on the physical, cultural, and social
attributes that shape and support the evolution of a place
(PPS, 2007, p.2). The organization has established a theoretical
framework consisting of four themes:
In developing our placemaking framework for the Lancaster District,
we built upon the PPS framework as a foundation. We customised
1514 Placemaking with Young Adults
Theme 4: Design and
Appearance (inner ring)
This theme analyses
the attributes related
to the design and
appearance of the area.
It considers factors such
as the distinctiveness
and beauty of the place,
the incorporation of
sustainable design
principles, the presence
of innovation within
the buildings and
businesses, the comfort
of sitting areas, and
the multifunctionality
of the spaces. The
measurements for this
theme include the types
and density of play spaces,
wildlife and ecology
surveys, the presence
of green and blue
infrastructure, the amount
of public open space, the
condition of buildings, the
presence of green roofs
and walls, food scaping
initiatives, crime statistics,
and the number/density of
benches and sitting areas.
such as the facilitation
of social networks
and infrastructure,
the provision of a
safe space for all
community members,
the capability of the
place to facilitate fun
activities, the overall
appearance and care
of the place, and the
representation of
diverse groups within
the community. The
measurements for this
theme include street
life, evening life/use,
the type and number
of demographics
represented, the
number of children/
elderly/women, the
types and number of
participation/activities
in community groups,
and outdoor life and
activities.
Figure 3. ImaginationLancaster and LCC placemaking framework. The inner ring
represents the four themes 1) design and appearance; 2) movement and tracel;
3) social communities; and 40 splaces and spaces. The middle ring illustrates the
attributes. The outer ring depicts the features of place that are quantiable. Source:
Mirian Calvo
1716 Placemaking with Young Adults
Figure 4. First placemaking workshop, Halton Mill, May 2022. Source: Research project
Building upon previous work related to the design of engagement
tools and techniques, the events were strategically planned to align
with the specic objectives of each workshop. It is worth noting
that the timing and location of these workshops were determined
based on factors such as the number of participants and the
purpose of each session, with the intention of creating a conducive
environment for collaborative thinking. Furthermore, the tools,
techniques, and activities employed during the workshops were
customised and tailored to suit the unique requirements of each
event. To gather data, the research team used a variety of methods
such as informal interviews, eld notes, session recordings,
sketches and photography.
To promote the development of a sustainable future for the
Lancaster District, a series of workshops were organised
with the aim of exploring the concepts of placemaking and
identifying sustainable aspirations that could be integrated into
environmental placemaking policies. These workshops, which
were designed to encourage creative thinking and foster a sense
of shared sustainable goals for Lancaster, were led by a research
team who assumed various roles as facilitators and participant-
observers. Their participation allowed for a more comprehensive
understanding of the underlying dynamics and a more holistic
approach to data collection.
SECTION 3
PLACEMAKING WORKSHOP
1918 Placemaking with Young Adults
The analysis of the rst event identied the following policy areas
of interest: community building, identity of the place, cost of living,
and the pursuit of prosperity as key drivers for sustainable change.
The rst placemaking workshop took place on 28th May 2022, at
Halton Mill in Halton, Lancaster. The full-day event included ten
young adults from the district, four policymakers from Lancaster
City Council, two engagement oicers from the council, one
young adult participant from Mexico, and partners from Lancaster
University. Many of the young adults were associated with
Lancaster Youth for the Environment. The workshop was facilitated
by a team from Lancaster City Council and Imagination Lancaster,
and professional lmmakers from Lancaster University recorded
the event with participant consent for the purpose of disseminating
the methods and process of engaging young adults in a creative
and inclusive manner.
Figure 6. Miriam Calvo, Researcher, introducing the placemaking framework.
Source: Research Project
The rst event focused on gathering young adults’ specic
understandings and experiences of sustainable ways of living.
The recruitment process was designed to attract a diverse group
of young adults living or working in the Lancaster District. This
involved sending invitation emails to young community groups
within the Lancaster University and Lancaster City Council
networks, as well as advertising through social media.
FIRST EVENT
PLACEMAKING WITH YOUNG
ADULTS IN HALTON
Figure 5. Participants and policymakers engaging with the placemaking framework
during the facilitated walk around Halton. Source: Research Project
2120 Placemaking with Young Adults
Figure 8: Susanna Dart describing Lancaster Cohousing and it’s landscape led
design from the edge of the rive Lune (background). Source: Research Project
The workshop was structured into four stages. Firstly, there was
an introduction to the context and the placemaking framework.
Participants were then guided on a walk around Halton Mill and
its surroundings to deepen their understanding of sustainable
ways of living in that area. Next, there was a sensemaking and
co-articulation exercise, where participants collectively developed
sustainable principles. Lastly, participants engaged in the co-
creation of a collective image for the future development of the
Lancaster South area.
During the workshop, participants engaged in multi-perspectival
discussions to expand their knowledge and co-produce new
knowledge through mutual learning. Through self-reection
on the sustainable settlement of Halton, participants explored
the relationship between nature, the built environment, and
placemaking. Halton was chosen as a site for the workshop due to
its existing sustainability principles, including renewable energy
production, PassivHaus housing, co-housing models, and a
balanced relationship between natural and built features.
Figure 7. Participants
collecting insights from
the Halton Allotments.
The participant is
taking notes in the
toolkit. Source:
Research Project
2322 Placemaking with Young Adults
A lunch break was provided to allow for sustenance and
unstructured reection and conversations between young adults
and policymakers. Following the break, participants engaged in
priority building and clustering insights from the facilitated walk.
This involved reecting on and sharing their insights and issues,
using the placemaking framework as a guide. The insights covered
various aspects of the visited locations, such as active travel,
physical barriers, aesthetics, biodiversity, aordable living, and
accessibility.
The day concluded with the co-creation of two collective collages
that synthesised and illustrated the participants’ visions for a
sustainable future.
Throughout the day, participants took part in a series of creative
and reective activities to explore the relationship between
place, community, design, and travel. This allowed for a deeper
understanding of the four themes highlighted in the framework.
Participation was viewed as a collective learning process involving
diverse perspectives and the gradual development of respect and
trust. This collaborative approach aimed to generate collective
images of a sustainable future for Lancaster.
The activities during the workshop included an icebreaker
and a presentation on Lancaster Local Plan and proposals of
development for the South Lancaster area. The participants
were also introduced to the placemaking framework and walked
through its application for dierent locations during the facilitated
walk around Halton. This walk included visits to the Halton
Community Centre, Halton Allotments, and Lancaster Cohousing,
where participants had the opportunity to explore the physical
dimensions of these places and capture their insights in the
provided walking tool kit.
Figure 9. Participants clustering insights onto the Placemaking framework aer the
walk and reecting to their groups. Source: Research Project
2524 Placemaking with Young Adults
Figure 10. Participants engaging with youth quotes and placemaking framework.
Source: Research Project
Figure 11. Participants familiarising themselve with the placemaking framework via
a presentation by Mirian Calvo. Source: Research Project
The second workshop convened 21 policymakers from various
organisations, including Lancaster City Council, Lancaster County
Council, and the Environmental Agency. These policymakers
possessed expertise in sustainable travel, green/blue infrastructure,
public realm, climate emergency, biodiversity, healthy places,
energy generation, environment, transport and health, ooding,
drainage, cycling and walking, and air quality.
The workshop had four objectives. First, it aimed to familiarise all
participants with the placemaking framework. Second, it sought to
analyse and group the outcomes from the placemaking workshop
involving young adults. Third, it aimed to generate policy ideas that
incorporated the sustainable principles and ways of living of young
people. Lastly, the workshop aimed to explore how descriptions of
sustainable thriving and ways of living could be transformed into
actionable policies.
To enable multidisciplinary collaboration, the policymakers were
divided into three groups. Each group engaged with the visions co-
produced during the initial workshop and the insights provided by
young adults. Through an analysis of anonymous quotes from the
young adults’ workshop, the groups assessed and selected quotes
that resonated with their values and interpretation of the Climate
Emergency Policy Agenda. This process facilitated the development
of clusters or themes for sustainable placemaking policies
applicable to Lancaster. Participants collectively reected on the
insights, analysing quotes and conversations, identifying patterns,
commonalities, relevant categories, attributes, and features, as well
SECOND EVENT
PLACEMAKING WITH POLICY
MAKERS
2726 Placemaking with Young Adults
as values and sustainability principles that should be integrated
into the policies.
Working together, the participants co-designed policy themes
that encompassed sustainable placemaking values and youth
aspirations. Each group had the task of formulating a policy
title, concise objective or aim statement, identifying potential
stakeholders for further policy development, and outlining the
sustainability values that the policy would promote in the new
settlement. Additionally, the groups were required to dra a brief
policy document.
At the conclusion of the workshop, each group presented and
displayed the top three policies they had developed on a timeline.
These policies were evaluated in terms of their short-term, medium-
term, and long-term aspirations. Striking a balance between the
two timeframes allowed for young people’s visions and ambitions
to be tested by those responsible for their implementation. This
facilitated a “reality test” to ensure that participants had condence
in the achievability of their overall ambitions through the planning
process. Furthermore, this process served as a check and balance,
enabling an understanding of the complexities and challenges
associated with policy delivery through the planning process.
Figure 12. Participants co-designed policy themes. Source: Research Project
2928 Placemaking with Young Adults
Figure 13. Participants outlining policy aspirations. Source:
Research Project
The nal workshop was held at Lancaster Castle, incorporated into
the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2023 programme, and brought
together 46 participants, 7 policymakers from Lancaster City
Council and Lancaster County Council, 4 academics, and 35 young
adults.
As a result of the preceding workshop, the Lancaster City Council
team analysed the proposals and formulated four policy themes.
The rst theme centred around ‘the natural environment’, focused
on areas such as green spaces, rivers, canals, and streams. The
second theme, “connectivity and sustainable travel,” endorsed
ideas regarding walking, cycling, wheeling, and utilizing public
transport. The third theme, “aordable living,” drew attention
to concerns related to the cost of living, recreational activities,
food production, and social life. Lastly, the fourth theme,
“climate,” concentrated on issues such as achieving Net-Zero in
new developments, implementing renewable energy strategies,
and devising water management strategies. The objective was
to explore these four main policy themes identied: natural
environment, climate focused new development, aordable
living, connectivity, and sustainable travel. Also, it aimed to
explore the key aspirations of each policy theme, co-develop a
vision, and reect on the co-benets that each policy theme could
generate. This facilitated in-depth discussions.
To eectively engage young adults and policymakers, the workshop
was designed to involve them in four dierent groups, each
THIRD EVENT
PLACEMAKING LANCASTER
TOGETHER
3130 Placemaking with Young Adults
The nal activity centred around generating proles of three
distinct audience groups that could directly or indirectly benet
from the proposed policies. By reecting on the individuals and
communities aected, participants were able to consider the
potential impacts of the policies and gain a deeper understanding
of the perspectives held by the identied audiences.
Figure 14. Participants looking through collaging materials. Source: Research
Project
dedicated to one policy theme. Participants were encouraged
to join the group that aligned with their interests and expertise.
Following a brief introduction, each group initiated a discussion
to identify their aspirations. Subsequently, they craed a concise
statement encapsulating these aspirations, which was then shared
with the other participants. This approach allowed individuals
to delve into themes beyond their primary focus, enabling the
research team to gather diverse ideas from various perspectives.
The subsequent activity involved transforming these aspirations
into a visual representation in the form of a collage, vision, or future
context scenario. Participants were provided with scissors, glue,
magazines, and cardboard to collaboratively create a synthetic
vision for each policy theme. This activity served as a platform for
discussing the challenges and issues surrounding the respective
policy theme, thus collectively highlighting crucial points identied
in the initial activity. The inclusion of diverse materials, such as
yarns, play dough, and graiti pens, enhanced creativity among
participants, ensuring their active engagement throughout the
session.
3332 Placemaking with Young Adults
The rst phase of analysis took place with the participants,
including policymakers and young adults, with analytical and
sensemaking activities ingrained in each workshop. During this
collective analysis, patterns emerged around the four themes of the
framework: Design and Appearance, Places and Spaces, Movement
and Travel, and Social Communities. These patterns revealed
insights such as the importance of multifunctional and sustainable
design, the need for better use of spaces and accessibility in
movement and travel, and the signicance of safety, fun, and
well-looked aer social communities. The insights were clustered
according to their ainity within each theme using the placemaking
framework (see Figure 15).
AFFINITY DIAGRAMMING ROUND 1
Figure 15. Participants adding insights to framework poster. Source: Research
Project
The analysis of the research was conducted using the Grounded
Theory approach and the ainity diagramming method. Ainity
diagramming is a widely utilised technique in various social science
disciplines that aims to identify patterns of meaning and uncover
shared values and principles within a collective. Its applications
extend to design disciplines, management, and anthropology,
making it suitable for analysing place-based data, generating ideas,
making decisions, and conducting usability tests.
To gather data for analysis, qualitative and visual data were
collected from video and audio recordings of conversations, as well
as notes taken during the placemaking events. Engagement tools
were also employed to gather the perspectives of the participants.
To obtain a comprehensive understanding of the primary data and
its interpretations, paper-based ainity diagramming was chosen
as the primary method, with the data set then being analysed
using the coding aided soware NVivo. Ainity diagramming is an
interpretive and reective technique that seeks to generate new
insights and ideas rather than providing denitive and objective
answers.
During the analysis process, the initially semi-unstructured insights
or items derived from the data were organised in a bottom-up
manner using physical placement. This approach allowed the data
to speak for itself and facilitated a holistic understanding of the
information being analysed.
SECTION 4
DATA ANALYSIS
3534 Placemaking with Young Adults
Figure 16. Post-it notes of insights clustered on Placemaking framework. Source:
Research Project
The Social Communities theme highlighted the intangibles of
safety, enjoyment, and well-being, with a particular emphasis
on outdoor activities. Participants believed that a sustainable
community should facilitate the growth of social enterprises and
incorporate mixed-use spaces that encompass cafes, playgrounds,
and areas for artistic and community cultural activities. The
importance of youth clubs and shared spaces for hosting skill
development workshops and community gardening initiatives was
also emphasised (refer to gure 167.
Design and Appearance: the predominant observations
revolved around multifunctional, sustainable, and
innovative aspects - specically emphasising the
implementation of green roofs, allotments and
community food initiatives, co-housing and community
land trust models of habitation, widespread utilisation
of solar panels, PassivHaus constructive systems, cost-
eective energy options, promotion of biodiversity, and
the development of more inclusive designs for civic
amenities.
Places and Spaces: the observations were predominantly
focused on activities, as well as environmentally
conscious and prosperous elements: improved and
eicient utilisation of vacant spaces, compact housing
models as opposed to urban sprawl, provision of spaces
for work and other activities organised by communal
groups, availability of low carbon food stores, and
community energy solutions that enable residents to
sustain an aordable cost of living (refer to gure 16).
Movement and Travel: several key intangibles
were discerned, including accessibility, walkability,
and cyclability. Participants consistently expressed
concerns about the inadequacy of the existing public
transportation infrastructure. Additionally, young adults
expressed opposition to the prevalence of private
mobility as opposed to public transportation. However,
they also expressed satisfaction with the accessibility of a
well-developed cycle path connecting Halton to Lancaster
City Centre in just 15 minutes. Ultimately, participants
desired a greater prioritisation of pedestrians and closer
proximity to essential services.
3736 Placemaking with Young Adults
The second level of abstraction of the ainity diagramming
analysis involved members of LCC and design-researchers. The
recordings, eldnotes, and transcripts were revisited to identify key
insights, which were then clustered using sticky notes on a wall.
This physical manipulation of the data allowed for a panoramic
overview, inviting challenges to the data and the emergence of
unexpected items. Through this process, the insights were clustered
according to the placemaking framework’s themes.
AFFINITY DIAGRAMMING ROUND 2
Figure 18. Analysis
workshop Source:
Research Project
Figure 17. Clustering of insights during rst placemaking workshop.
Source: Research Project
3938 Placemaking with Young Adults
Figure 21. Identity of the place insight. Source: Mirian Calvo
Figure 19 (top). Food production insight. Source: Mirian Calvo
Figure 20 (bottom). Travel insight. Source: Mirian Calvo
4140 Placemaking with Young Adults
These insights were further illustrated in a placemaking
diagram. Figure 24 illustrates this diagram which
sheds light on the most signicant intangibles and
measurements as viewed by the young participants.
Additionally, a noteworthy nding, not included in the
placemaking framework, is emphasised in yellow. This
nding reveals that the participants’ primary concern is
the cost of living and the interconnected elements of social
cohesion and prosperity, situated between the themes of
Social Communities and Place and Spaces.
Figure 23. Collage Source: Research Project
The analysis of the two collages co-produced (see gure 22
and 23 shed further light on the key insights. These insights
encompassed the importance of welcoming places, good
active travel infrastructure, essential housing qualities and
features, food growing, travel, renewable energy, and the
identity of the place.
Figure 22. Collage Source: Research Project
4342 Placemaking with Young Adults
Figure 24. Final Placemaking
framework highlighting young values.
Source: Mirian Calvo
4544 Placemaking with Young Adults
The third round of ainity diagramming involved the analysis of
the entire data collection using Grounded Theory and NVivo. Key
insights were identied, including the importance of welcoming
places, good active travel infrastructure, essential housing qualities
and features, food growing, travel, renewable energies, and the
identity of the place. These insights emphasised the creation
of a sustainable and inclusive community that prioritises
aordability, active travel, renewable energy, and social
cohesion. The analysis identified the following key insights:
AFFINITY DIAGRAMMING ROUND 3
4746 Placemaking with Young Adults
Overall, the NVivo data analysis corroborates the paper-based
ainity diagramming: participants envisaged a sustainable and
inclusive community that prioritises aordability, active travel,
renewable energy, and social cohesion. These principles are
the core values/aspirations they want to see hammered into
the design and development of any new settlement, aspiring to
be a model to follow for other communities and contribute to a
sustainable future.
5. Travel: The participants emphasised the need for a
robust public transport network, including buses and
trains, that is aordable and accessible for all residents.
They also highlighted the importance of considering
the impact of transportation on wildlife and promoting
innovative technologies.
6. Renewable energy: The participants expressed
a strong desire for renewable energy sources and
building designs that are in harmony with the
natural environment. They believe that incorporating
renewable energy into the built environment is essential
for a sustainable future.
7. Identity of the place: The participants envision a
sustainable city that is a benchmark for innovation,
social cohesion, and inclusivity. They believe that the
future settlement should have its own identity and
that residents should have a voice in the design and
development of the community and public spaces.
Young Adults Vision: placemaking
and sustainable principles
1. Welcoming places: The participants emphasized
the importance of creating a place that is welcoming to
both residents and visitors. This includes aesthetically
pleasing buildings that are in harmony with the natural
environment and a predominance of open green spaces.
2. Good active travel infrastructure: The participants
stressed the need for a strong infrastructure for
pedestrian and bicycle paths to encourage active travel
and reduce reliance on private vehicles. They believe
that creating a culture of active travel is crucial for
sustainability.
3. Essential housing qualities and features: Aordable
and accessible housing was identied as a basic need
for young adults. They highlighted the importance
of integrating work, social, and family life in the
neighbourhood and having access to public and leisure
services.
4. Food growing: Participants recognised the social
and environmental benets of community gardening
and food production. They believe that food growing
can promote social cohesion, wellbeing, and healthy
communities, as well as reduce energy consumption
and support biodiversity.
4948 Placemaking with Young Adults
Policy recommendations:
- Multi-functionality of green space and collective green spaces
- Prioritisation of sustainable and active transportation options
- Implementation of zero carbon and energy-eicient measures in
housing
- Engagement and buy-in from the community
Aspirational policy themes
1. Sustainable transport options: car club, electric cars,
connectivity and integration, bikes, walking, cycling, public
transport, trams, boat
2. Green spaces and nature: communal gardens, wildlife-friendly
gardens, nature integration, green areas for walking and cycling
3. Energy eiciency: wood insulation, solar and wind energy, water
storage and energy generation, dark skies
4. Aordable living: car sharing, reducing waste, repair cafes,
sharing of services and utilities, community gardens, ethical
shopping, communal housing, aordable heating
5. Community involvement: community initiatives, teaching skills,
maintaining gardens, providing services for elderly people,
stewardship of the community
6. Density and mixed-use development: high-density living,
mixed-use spaces, integrated heating system, integrated services
for businesses, circular economy
The overall theme that emerged from the analysis is the idea of
creating a sustainable and integrated community. This involves
promoting sustainable transportation options, embracing green
spaces and nature, focusing on energy eiciency, ensuring
aordability of living, involving the community in decision-
making and maintenance, and promoting density and mixed-
use development. The concept of sustainability and integration
is at the core of all these themes.
Policymakers Vision: aspirations
to incorporate in local policies
1
2
3
5
4
Placemaking framework development process: developing
a custom placemaking framework for the Lancaster District
context, incorporating sustainable values and tested
through iterative processes in local urban contexts.
Policy makers’ workshop structure and activities: structure
and activities of the policy makers’ workshop, including
welcoming activities, introductions to the project, small
group activities, and sharing and co-creation of policies for
the Lancaster South Area Action Plan.
Emphasising green space and mobility: a strong
emphasis on prioritising green space and mobility in the
development of policies for the Lancaster District, – based
on the insights from the analysis of the Young Adults’
workshop and emergent conversations.
Considerations and missing themes: potential conicts
and considerations related to nature, climate change, and
population growth. It also highlighted missing themes:
aordability, depopulation, and social housing, which were
not fully explored or prioritised.
Young adults’ perspective and engagement: build a strong
engagement with young adults in future events.
5150 Placemaking with Young Adults
vibrant and economically prosperous community.
In the Movement and Travel theme, the participants emphasised
the importance of accessibility, walkability, and cyclability. They
identied a lack of a strong public transport infrastructure and
expressed their preference for public mobility over private mobility.
The participants celebrated the accessibility of a cycle path that
connects Halton to Lancaster city and expressed a desire for
improved pedestrian infrastructure. These insights highlight the
importance of sustainable and accessible transportation in the
community.
The Social Communities theme revealed the participants’ focus
on safety, fun, and well-being. The participants expressed a desire
for outdoor activities, support for social enterprises, mixed-use
spaces, and community cultural activities. They emphasised the
importance of youth clubs and shared spaces for skill development
workshops and community gardening. These insights indicate
a strong emphasis on creating a socially vibrant and inclusive
community.
The second level of analysis involved a full day workshop where
the research team revisited the collected data and applied ainity
diagramming to identify key insights. This process allowed for the
clustering of insights according to their ainity, revealing patterns
and unexpected items. The insights included the importance of
welcoming places, good active travel infrastructure, essential
housing qualities and features, food growing, travel, renewable
energies, and the identity of the place.
From this analysis, the key ndings can be summarised as follows.
First, the participants emphasised the importance of creating a
welcoming place that is aesthetically pleasing and in harmony with
The results also include a comprehensive plan for sustainable
development in South Lancaster. This plan would outline specic
actions and policies to achieve sustainable transport options,
green spaces and nature integration, energy eiciency, aordability
in living, community involvement, and density and mixed-use
development. The plan would also involve collaboration between
policymakers, young adults, and other stakeholders to ensure the
successful implementation of these policies.
DISCUSSION
The rst phase of analysis in this research project involved
workshops with participants, including policy makers and young
adults. The aim of these workshops was to gather insights and
perspectives on sustainable placemaking in South Lancaster.
Through the analysis of data collected during these workshops,
several key themes and patterns emerged.
In the theme of Design and Appearance, the participants
expressed a strong desire for multifunctional, sustainable, and
innovative features in the built environment. They highlighted the
importance of green roofs, community food initiatives, co-housing
and community land trust models of inhabitation, solar panels,
PassivHaus construction, aordable energy, and more inclusive
designs for public facilities. These insights indicate a strong
emphasis on sustainability and a desire for a more environmentally
friendly built environment.
The Places and Spaces theme focused on creating vibrant and
prosperous spaces. The participants highlighted the need for better
use of empty spaces, dense housing models, spaces for working
and community group activities, low carbon food shops, and
community energy solutions. These insights indicate a desire for a
5352 Placemaking with Young Adults
We explored novel ways to embed public engagement and dignied
participation in policy making for the urban environment. The
novel methods help to create spaces for collaboration which built
bridges between Councils, local authority oicials, and young
people on environmental policies. The aim was to co-design local
plan policies’ aspirations that will be more eective (nancially and
environmentally) in the longer-term and address sustainability and
social challenges associated to climate emergency.
CONCLUSION
We would like to thank everyone who took the time to contribute
their time to this project and making it such a success. Everyone
we met made such valuable contributions, gave great insights
and contributed really good ideas. Special acknowledgements
to Lancaster City Council (LCC) oicers involved in the process:
Paul Hatch, Susanna Dart, Gillian Dobson, Kirsty Chekansky, Fiona
Clark and Eleanor Huddleston; and to Dr Maryam Ghorbankarimi,
lm director and research collaborator; and Dr Nuri Kwon,
research associated in the project. We would also like to thank
the British Academy for funding this research: Youth, Democracy
and Sustainable Citizenship, research led by Prof James Sloam,
Royal Holloway,in collaboration with Dr Carina O’Reilly University
of Lincoln, and Dr Mirian Calvo, Lancaster School of Architecture,
ImaginationLancaster, Lancaster University. We would also like to
thank the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2022, and the Festival of
Futures 2024 for supporting this project.
Lead-rsearcher of Placemaking with Young Adults: Dr Mirian Calvo.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
https://imagination.lancaster.ac.uk/project/
placemaking-with-young-adults-workshop/
the natural environment. Second, they highlighted the need
for a strong infrastructure for pedestrian and bicycle paths to
encourage active travel. Third, they identied aordable and
accessible housing as a basic need, emphasising the integration
of work, social, and family life in the neighbourhood. Fourth, they
recognized the social and environmental benets of community
gardening and food production. Fih, they emphasised the need
for a robust public transport network and the consideration
of transportation’s impact on wildlife. Sixth, they expressed a
strong desire for renewable energy sources and designs that are
in harmony with the natural environment. Lastly, they envision a
sustainable city that is innovative, socially cohesive, inclusive, and
allows for active participation in the design and development of the
community and public spaces.
In the Movement and Travel theme, the participants emphasized
the importance of accessibility, walkability, and cyclability. They
identied a lack of a strong public transport infrastructure and
expressed their preference for public mobility over private mobility.
The participants celebrated the accessibility of a cycle path that
connects Halton to Lancaster city and expressed a desire for
improved pedestrian infrastructure. These insights highlight the
importance of sustainable and accessible transportation in the
community.
The Social Communities theme revealed the participants’ focus
on safety, fun, and well-being. The participants expressed a desire
for outdoor activities, support for social enterprises, mixed-use
spaces, and community cultural activities. They emphasized the
importance of youth clubs and shared spaces for skill development
workshops and community gardening. These insights indicate
a strong emphasis on creating a socially vibrant and inclusive
community.
5554 Placemaking with Young Adults
Please see figure 3 page 12 for Placemaking Framework Diagram
Theme 1: Places and Spaces (inner ring)
Attributes (middle ring)
Things to do — Does the area have the right type and mixes of uses to
ensure that people have a range of choices of activities and the
community can engage and form social networks? What are the things
that are available to do? Are there a range of options available which
are free, low cost, and more expensive?
Green – Does the area have a strong and visually apparent network of Blue
/ Green Infrastructure? Are there trees, rivers, canals, parks, green
spaces, planters with owers, green roofs, etc.? Are these things used
and do they form a positive relationship between communities, the
built environment, and natural environment?
Connected – Is the place well connected to other places? Are there
dierent types of connections between places so people are able to
move easily and safely between places and spaces?
Welcoming –Do people feel welcome to and at the location? Do the places
and spaces have visual appeal? Do people of all demographics feel
comfortable using the spaces and feel that they belong? Are the
places friendly as in do people feel encouraged to interact with their
neighbours through the fostering of a friendly and happy environment
to live and work in?
Prosperous — Is this a place that is doing well? Is there evidence that
people in the place are living comfortably?
Measurements (outer ring): land use, number of community groups, local
and innovative businesses, agri-food businesses and activities, community
hubs and spaces, homes (type and tenure), recreational facilities, retail
sales
APPENDIX | PLACEMAKING FRAMEWORK
Alexander, C. (1977) A pattern langauge: towns, buildings, construction.
Oxford University Press.
Byrant, P. (2020) The Lancaster District Climate Change People’s Jury.
Shared Future
Courage, C. (2020) Introduction: What Really Matters – Moving Placemaking
into a New Epoch. In Courage, C., Borrup, T., Jackson, M.R., Legge, K.,
Mckeown, A., Platt, L. & Schupbach, J. [Eds] The Routledge Handbook
of Placemaking. NY, USA: Routledge.
Courage, C., Borrup, T., Jackson, M.R., Legge, K., Mckeown, A., Platt, L. &
Schupbach, J. (2021) The Routledge Handbook of Placemaking. NY,
USA: Routledge.
Hayden, D. (1988) Placemaking, Preservation, and Urban History, Journal
of Architectural Education, No. 41, Vol. 3, pp. 45-51.
Harvey, D. (1996) Justice, Nature and the Geography of Dierence.
Jacobs, J. (1961) The Death and Life of Great American Cities.
Keidar, N., Fox ,M., Friedman, O., Grinberger, Y., Kirresh, T., Li ,Y., Manor, R.,
Rotman, D., Silverman, E. & Brail, S. (2023). Progress in Placemaking,
Planning Theory & Practice. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/1
4649357.2023.2286131
Markusen, A. & Gadwa, A. (2018) Creative Placemaking. In Rosewall, E. &
Shane, R, [Eds] Participation and Engagement Volume 4, Arts and
Cultural Management: Critical and Primary Sources. London, UK:
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.
Markusen, A. & Gadwa, A. (2010) National Endowment for the Arts Creative
Placemaking White Paper. Available from: https://www.arts.gov/
about/publications/creative-placemaking
PPS (2007) “What Is Placemaking?” Available from: https://www.pps.org/
article/what-is-placemaking
Schneekloth, L. and Shibley, r. (1995) Placemaking: the art and practice of
building communities.
Sloam, J., Meyon, K. and Malaj, D. (2021) Young Londoners and Climate
Change: A Roadmap to COP26.
Whyte, W.H. (1980) The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces.
REFERENCES
5756 Placemaking with Young Adults
Theme 3: Social Communities (inner ring)
Attributes (middle ring)
Co-operative – Does the place facilitate the social networks and the social
infrastructure needed to ensure that communities can help each other
and themselves? Are people interacting and working together in the
place? Is there evidence that people (groups, communities, teams,
etc.) are working together?
Safe – Does the place provide a safe space for all members of the
community? Do people look secure, happy and relaxed? How does it
feel to be in the place? Does it appear that the place is safe for all ages
and demographics?
Fun – Is the place designed to facilitate fun activities? Is it somewhere that
people feel comfortable being able to relax and have fun? Is the place
helping facilitate communities and social networks to provide the
opportunities for enjoyment and leisure? Is there a range of things for
dierent types of fun for dierent types of people? Is there a range of
fun things to do which are available at dierent prices (free, low cost,
more expensive, etc.)?
Well looked aer – Does the place look well cared for? It does not need to
be new or stylish, but is it evident that people care about the place? Is
the place clean? Does it look like there are social networks and links
which are established are robust and are responsible for the place?
Does it look like people take pride in how the place looks?
Diverse – Do the people in the place represent the diversity of the
community? This is in terms of age, gender, background, education,
nationality, etc. Are dierent groups using the place in an equitable
way?
Measurements (outer ring): street life, evening life/use, type and number
of demographics, number of children/elderly/women, types and
number of participation/activities in community groups, outdoor life
and activities.
Theme 2: Movement and Travel (inner ring)
Attributes (middle ring)
Cyclable – Is there area one where it is easy to cycle? Is it safe to cycle for
all ages and abilities? Are the cycle routes clearly marked? Within the
area are the relevant services (workplaces, key services, education,
restaurants, green spaces, social networks, etc.) accessible by cycling?
Can you easily cycle to dierent destinations and services from the
area? Is there good cycle infrastructure and routes and do they have
good connectivity?
Safe – Is it safe to travel through the area for all users both in daytime and
night-time? What is the perception of safety and what is the actual
safety? This is both safe from crime and road safety.
Walkable – Is there area one where it is easy to walk and wheel*? Is it
safe to walk for all ages and abilities? Are the walking routes clearly
marked? Are pavements clear to walk on (i.e., smooth, no tripping
hazards, no parked cars, no awkwardly placed planters or benches,
etc.)? Within the area are the relevant services (workplaces, key
services, education, restaurants, green spaces, social networks, etc.)
accessible by walking? Can you easily walk to dierent destinations
and services from the area? Is there good cycle infrastructure and
routes?
* this section includes transport with “wheels” such as prams, wheelchairs,
mobility scooters and waking frames.
Convenient – Are travel and transport networks convenient for users and
provide realistic alternatives to the private car? Are bus stops close to
where people need them? Is it easy to cycle or walk from one place to
the next? When a private car is needed does it facilitate the transition
to EV cars (such as provision of EV charge points)?
Accessible – Are transport networks located in the appropriate corridor to
ensure that they can be accessed by all sections of the community in
the area?
Measurements (outer ring): traic data, EV charging network, cycle rates,
walking rates, public transport provision, Proximity to services (10/15
min.)
5958 Placemaking with Young Adults
Theme 4: Design and Appearance (inner ring)
Attributes (middle ring)
Instagramable – Is the place one that you would Instagram? Is it one
which is distinctive and special? Is it beautiful and recognisable?
Sustainable – Is the place built with sustainable design? Things to
consider: Are there solar panels, wind turbines, green roofs,
PasssivHaus buildings, biodiverse gardens (e.g., instead of paved
drives), do the buildings and nature interact, are there cycle lanes and
good pavements?
Innovative – Does the place appear as one where innovation is
happening? Do the buildings and places look innovative? Are there
innovative businesses and activities in the place? Is there diversity in
the design of development?
Sittable — Is this a place people feel comfortable to sit in?
Multifunctional — Are the places designed to facilitate dierent uses and
activities?
Measurements (outer ring): types and density of play spaces, wildlife
and ecology surveys, green and blue infrastructure, public open
space, building conditions, green roofs and walls, foodscaping, crime
statistics, number/density of benches/sitting areas, balance between
rural-urban.
60 Placemaking with Young Adults
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Youth, Democracy and Sustainable Citizenship
Reimagining the City and Empowering Young
People through Engagement with
Policy-Makers
Po
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SHORT REPORT
PLACEMAKING
WITH YOUNG
ADULTS
The British Academy |
Dr Mirian Calvo, Susanna Dart,
Paul Hatch, Gillian Dobson and Kirsty
Chekansky| February 2024 Policy-Makers
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PROSPEROUS
CO-OPERATIVE
COMMUNITY
HUBS & SPACES
AGRIFOOD
BUSINESS/ACTIVITY
COMMUNITY
GROUPS
GREEN
LAND USE
RENT LEVELS
TYPE OF ACTIVITIES
WELCOMING
HOME
TYPES & TENURE
BUILDING
CONDITIONS
RENTAL SALES
THINGS TO DO
MULTI-
FUNCTIONAL
WILDLIFE
ECOLOGY SURVEYS
GREEN & BLUE
INFRASTRUCTURE
PUBLIC OPEN
SPACE
GREEN ROOFS
& WALLS
SUSTAINABLE
NUMBER/DENSITY
BENCHES/SITTING
RURAL VS URBAN
INNOVATIVE
ACCESSIBLE
WALKABLE
PROXIMITY TO
SERVICES
(TIME - 15min)
PUBLIC
TRANSPORT
PEDESTRIAN
ACTIVITY
TRANSIT USAGE
CYCLABLE
WELL LOOKED
AFTER
CHILDREN
ELDERLY
WOMEN
TYPES & NUMBER
PARTICIPATION
COMMUNITY GROUPS
FUN
SAFE
OUTDOOR LIFE
ACTIVITIES
CONVENIENT
WALKING RATES
CYCLE RATES
TRAFFIC DATA
EV CHARGING
NETWORK SAFE
CONNECTED
SITTABLE
TYPES & DENSITY
PLAY SPACES
BUILDING
CONDITIONS
FOODSCAPING
CRIME
STATISTICS
INSTAGRAMABLE
DEMOGRAPHICS
EVENING USE
STREET LIFE
DIVERSE
RECREATIONAL
FACILITIES
LOCAL/INNOVATIVE
BUSINESS
Youth, Democracy and Sustainable Citizenship
Reimagining the City and Empowering Young
People through Engagement with
Policy-Makers
Po
l
i
c
y
SHORT REPORT
PLACEMAKING
WITH YOUNG
ADULTS
The British Academy |
Dr Mirian Calvo, Susanna Dart,
Paul Hatch, Gillian Dobson and Kirsty
Chekansky| February 2024 Policy-Makers
