IN-PERSON Manchester Livable Cities

Abstract

The development of a conceptual framework to assess inclusive placemaking interventions is essential for increasing public spaces that can foster meaningful inclusion. Inclusive placemaking can be interpreted as interventions to support the inclusive use of public spaces and granting access to natural assets (urban waterfronts), while protecting vulnerable groups and activities from the adverse effects such as gentrification, touristification, commercialisation of public space renewal and design. Very few placemaking projects seem to thoroughly evaluate the process being followed and identify the successes and failures that can further inform practice and research. We draw on four cases studies of placemaking initiatives in Rotterdam, Oslo, Budapest and Vienna in rethinking how an inclusive placemaking conceptual framework can be useful. In this paper, we argue that a more flexible understanding of indicators that directs attention to participation but seen against two other contextual factors of civic trust and social capital is a key ingredient for an inclusive placemaking conceptual framework. Furthermore, if we are to effectively guide the development of and evaluate whether urban interventions genuinely enhance the experiential, cultural, and relational dimensions of inclusive placemaking, it can be useful to employ a vision-driven approach for inclusive placemaking that is attuned to what can be termed “weak signals”. The outcome of this paper is a preliminary conceptual framework which is accessible and applicable by city practitioners and researchers to involve local stakeholders, communities, and specific target groups, that is context sensitive, considers joint interests, and that gives voice to under-represented groups. This conceptual framework establishes a shared language that can be applied to plan and facilitate activities to address the adverse effects of urban development initiatives.