Untangling the participation buzz in urban place-making

Mechanisms and effects

Journal Article (2025)
Author(s)

G. Slingerland (TU Delft - Urban Studies)

Nicolai Brodersen Hansen (Aalborg University)

Research Group
Urban Studies
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1080/15710882.2025.2514561
More Info
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Publication Year
2025
Language
English
Research Group
Urban Studies
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Abstract

Place-making is a promising approach to foster strong communities in cities. While participation has always been central to urban place-making, novel approaches such as using co-design and digital technologies change how stakeholders participate in the design of place-making interventions and the potential effect of these interventions. These new approaches open up questions on how participation works in place-making and how it is facilitated to achieve the intended outcomes. Through a literature review, 23 articles were selected and analysed using qualitative analysis informed by program theory. This allows us to understand the goals and workings of participation in place-making and its influence on the place-making itself. Findings include that designers of place-making interventions often do not explicitly consider their participation goal in selecting participatory mechanisms, and that place-making efforts driven by physical space are most effective in achieving impact.