Learn how to design public spaces that foster a sense of place and identity. Discover tips and examples on how to reflect the character, involve the stakeholders, and enhance the connectivity of your public space.

Think of the space as a series of rooms and what function and purpose each room has in the overall design. Depending on overall space consider spaces as public and private first, then functionality. Some spaces may be open and spacious allowing for large groups while others can be intimate for a small group away from crowds.

How do you foster a sense of place and identity in your public space design?

Public spaces are more than just physical settings for people to gather, relax, or enjoy. They are also expressions of the culture, history, and identity of a community. As a landscape architect, you have the opportunity to design public spaces that foster a sense of place and identity, and create meaningful connections between people and their environment. But how do you achieve this goal? Here are some tips and examples to inspire you.

1 Understand the context

Before you start designing, you need to understand the context of your public space. What are the natural, cultural, and social features of the site and its surroundings? How do people use the space, and what are their needs and preferences? What are the challenges and opportunities for improvement? By conducting site analysis, surveys, interviews, and observations, you can gather valuable information that will inform your design decisions.

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Shawn Kelly, FASLA,PLA

Past President at American Society of Landscape Architects
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First, you must consider the user group(s). This will determine whether you continue with design of a proxemic or distemic approach. One culture allows process geared to their needs, wants, and wishes. If multiple cultures interface on site, then distemic spatial design involves design where all desires must coexist, and therefore compromise determines success. Venn diagrams can help with overlapping desires.

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Safiya Cummings

MBBS, MSc, LFA, EcoDistricts AP, Reset AP, ActiveScore AP
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Fostering a sense of place and identity in public space design is an intricate process. Understanding the space's character, its connection to the envisioned plan, and its current occupants is crucial. Once this connection is established, the key lies in amplifying the existing strengths of the public space while introducing new elements that align with the vision for the area. Central to this is the creation of an inclusive environment where occupants actively participate in the design process. When the community is engaged in shaping the space, a genuine sense of identity and belonging emerges, bringing the design to life. It's not just what people say, but what we observe and co-create that truly defines a place.

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2 Involve the stakeholders

One of the best ways to foster a sense of place and identity in your public space design is to involve the stakeholders in the process. Stakeholders are the people who have an interest or influence in the project, such as the clients, the users, the neighbors, the authorities, and the experts. By engaging them in workshops, consultations, and feedback sessions, you can gain insights, ideas, and support for your design. You can also empower them to take ownership and responsibility for the public space.

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3 Reflect the character

Another way to foster a sense of place and identity in your public space design is to reflect the character of the site and the community. Character is the distinctive quality or atmosphere that makes a place unique and memorable. You can reflect the character by using materials, colors, shapes, and patterns that are inspired by the natural or cultural elements of the site. You can also incorporate art, signage, or landmarks that tell the stories and values of the community.

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4 Provide diversity and flexibility

A public space that fosters a sense of place and identity should also provide diversity and flexibility for its users. Diversity means offering a variety of functions, activities, and experiences that cater to different ages, abilities, and interests. Flexibility means allowing the users to adapt, change, or transform the space according to their needs and preferences. You can provide diversity and flexibility by using movable furniture, modular elements, or interactive features that enable users to customize the space.

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Jason Bornhorst

WDC Hilliard Manager
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Think of the space as a series of rooms and what function and purpose each room has in the overall design. Depending on overall space consider spaces as public and private first, then functionality. Some spaces may be open and spacious allowing for large groups while others can be intimate for a small group away from crowds.

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5 Enhance the connectivity

Finally, a public space that fosters a sense of place and identity should also enhance the connectivity between people and their environment. Connectivity means creating physical, visual, and social links that facilitate access, movement, and interaction. You can enhance the connectivity by using pathways, bridges, or nodes that connect the public space to other places and networks. You can also use lighting, vegetation, or water features that create a pleasant and inviting ambiance for people to stay and mingle.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Karen Wright - (CMLI)

Landscape Architect | Environmental Manager | Sustainable Inclusive Environments | Design | Consultancy | Engagement | Research and Development
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One thing I’ve found helpful is to also consider how the Interaction or facilities or equipment or spaces support people to self help, ie take responsibility for their own care and health, through targeted interventions/ activities for beneficial outcomes. Providing mechanism to educate and encourage this as well as explaining how and who this helps! Ie all ages and all abilities.

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How do you foster a sense of place and identity in your public space design?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Understand the context

2 Involve the stakeholders

3 Reflect the character

4 Provide diversity and flexibility

5 Enhance the connectivity

6 Here’s what else to consider

Landscape Architecture

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How do you foster a sense of place and identity in your public space design?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Understand the context

2 Involve the stakeholders

3 Reflect the character

4 Provide diversity and flexibility

5 Enhance the connectivity

6 Here’s what else to consider

Landscape Architecture

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