Persuasion and engagement
A core principle of placemaking is listening to people and responding to their wants and needs. It doesn’t work when authorities impose change. It’s over-simple to advise everyone to give up their cars and cycle instead. Individual freedom of choice will always be an issue.
Consequently, architects, designers, planners, developers and local authorities must win their audiences by building trust.
They must find ways to frame the argument for the end-user to encourage behavioural changes. They must get stakeholders on board as ambassadors for positive change, promoting it.
The consultation will continue to be a vital tool for engagement, but only if it's meaningful and not a box-ticking exercise – it requires a tangible local presence and a willingness to be open to people's opinions and objections. Persuading local communities to participate is crucial. There’ll always be multiple factors and unexpected challenges for placemakers in the built environment. Trust is a key component in coping with them and overcoming barriers to change.
