Study
Classic DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

Placemaking enhances tourism appeal through community cohesion and sense of place.

By focusing on the intangible and tangible elements that define a location, placemaking fosters a stronger sense of place and social cohesion, which in turn makes the destination more attractive to tourists.

Hrvatski geografski glasnik/Croatian Geographical Bulletin · 2021

01

Key Findings

  • 01Quality placemaking cultivates a strong sense of place.
  • 02Placemaking initiatives can increase social cohesion within local communities.
  • 03Enhanced sense of place and social cohesion contribute to increased tourism attractiveness.
  • 04Placemaking can stimulate long-term regeneration of public spaces.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Integrate community engagement and heritage preservation into design projects to cultivate a unique sense of place that attracts visitors and strengthens local identity.

How to apply

When designing public spaces or tourism destinations, conduct thorough research into the local community's history, culture, and aspirations. Facilitate participatory design workshops to ensure the final design reflects these elements and fosters a strong sense of ownership.

Project actions

  • 01When designing a space, think about what makes it unique to the people who use it.
  • 02Consider how your design can bring people together and create a shared feeling about the place.
03

Method & Evidence

AimHow can placemaking strategies be effectively employed to enhance the attractiveness of a destination by fostering a sense of place and strengthening local community cohesion?
MethodLiterature Review and Case Study Analysis
ProcedureThe paper reviews the evolution of placemaking concepts, its definitions, and various approaches (tangible, intangible, mixed). It then analyzes examples primarily from tourism and community development studies to illustrate the impact of placemaking on social cohesion, sense of place, and tourism attractiveness.
ContextUrban Planning, Tourism Development, Community Development

Variables

IV["Placemaking strategies (e.g., community involvement, heritage integration, physical design elements)","Focus on intangible assets"]
DV["Sense of place","Social cohesion","Tourism attractiveness","Public space regeneration"]
CV["Type of location (urban, rural)","Existing socio-economic conditions","Historical context"]
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Integrates concepts from sociology, geography, and tourism studies.
  • +Provides a framework for understanding the holistic development of places.

Limitations

It can be challenging to objectively measure 'sense of place' or 'social cohesion' in a design project. The impact of placemaking can take a long time to become apparent.

Reliability & validity

The validity of the findings relies on the interpretation of case studies and literature. Reliability could be improved by using quantitative measures of social cohesion or visitor satisfaction in specific placemaking projects.

Think critically

To what extent can placemaking be intentionally designed, or does it emerge organically from community interaction and historical context?

05

Design Principles

"Design should foster a sense of belonging and shared identity by respecting and integrating local heritage and community values."

Designers and urban planners can leverage placemaking principles to create more meaningful and engaging public spaces. This approach moves beyond purely aesthetic considerations to integrate community values and heritage, leading to more sustainable and successful urban regeneration and tourism strategies.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Making a place feel special and connected to its community makes it more interesting for tourists and better for the people who live there.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Use placemaking principles to justify design choices that emphasize local identity and community involvement.
  • 2.Analyze how existing places have successfully or unsuccessfully used placemaking to inform your own design strategy.
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Add to My Project

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Quick Cite

(2021). Placemaking, local community and tourism. Hrvatski geografski glasnik/Croatian Geographical Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.21861/hgg.2021.83.01.04 Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/33f5cf75-2d41-47bf-bc64-b26edbddae9b/placemaking-enhances-tourism-appeal-through-community-cohesion-and-sense-of-place

Paragraph starter

This research highlights the importance of placemaking in creating destinations that resonate with both locals and tourists. By focusing on intangible assets and fostering a sense of place and community cohesion, design interventions can significantly enhance a location's attractiveness and promote sustainable regeneration.

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Source

Hrvatski geografski glasnik/Croatian Geographical Bulletin

Placemaking, local community and tourism

journal · 2021

View source

Questions about this research

What does the research say about placemaking enhances tourism appeal through community cohesion and sense of place?
Integrate community engagement and heritage preservation into design projects to cultivate a unique sense of place that attracts visitors and strengthens local identity. Evidence: Hrvatski geografski glasnik/Croatian Geographical Bulletin (2021).
Why does "Placemaking enhances tourism appeal through community cohesion and sense of place." matter for design?
Designers and urban planners can leverage placemaking principles to create more meaningful and engaging public spaces. This approach moves beyond purely aesthetic considerations to integrate community values and heritage, leading to more sustainable and successful urban regeneration and tourism strategies.
How can designers apply this research?
Integrate community engagement and heritage preservation into design projects to cultivate a unique sense of place that attracts visitors and strengthens local identity.
What were the main findings?
Quality placemaking cultivates a strong sense of place.. Placemaking initiatives can increase social cohesion within local communities.. Enhanced sense of place and social cohesion contribute to increased tourism attractiveness.. Placemaking can stimulate long-term regeneration of public spaces.
What research method was used?
Literature Review and Case Study Analysis.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2021 journal from Hrvatski geografski glasnik/Croatian Geographical Bulletin.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing public spaces or tourism destinations, conduct thorough research into the local community's history, culture, and aspirations. Facilitate participatory design workshops to ensure the final design reflects these elements and fosters a strong sense of ownership.
What are the limitations?
The paper's examples are mainly drawn from tourism and community development studies, potentially limiting the generalizability of findings to other design contexts. The effectiveness of placemaking can vary significantly based on local socio-political and economic conditions.
Is there evidence that community affects design outcomes?
Effective placemaking builds a strong local identity and community connection, making places more appealing for tourism and promoting long-term urban improvement. Designers and urban planners can leverage placemaking principles to create more meaningful and engaging public spaces. This approach moves beyond purely aest Source: Hrvatski geografski glasnik/Croatian Geographical Bulletin (2021).
Where does this sense place research apply?
Urban Planning, Tourism Development, Community Development It sits within classic design research on designdex.org.

Related research topics

community design research · evidence on community · does community improve design outcomes · sense place studies for designers · community and sense place findings · classic design research evidence