What is Placemaking
Placemaking is about creating places where people want to live, work, visit and spend time.
It’s a way of thinking that puts people at the heart of planning decisions, making sure that new developments and improvements to existing areas help communities thrive.
Rather than looking at individual buildings or streets in isolation, placemaking takes a broader view. It considers how different parts of a place work together – the shops, homes, parks, transport links and community facilities – and how they can better serve the people who use them every day. The Design Commission for Wales identifies three layers to good placemaking.
Physical Form
The physical setting that makes up the place including the townscape, built form, landscape, topography, ecology, microclimate and public realm.
Activity
The activities that occur in the place supported by land uses, pedestrian and cycle movement, play and social life within the public realm and events.
Meaning
The unique features of a place including the context, identity of existing places, unique sense of place, significant built and natural features, cultural associations, sensory experiences, safety and inclusiveness and sense of belonging.
Good placemaking creates areas with their own distinct character and identity, where people feel a sense of belonging and pride. It focuses on making places that are attractive, accessible, safe and vibrant and that support people’s health, happiness and wellbeing.
Further details on Placemaking can be found here:
What is a Shaping Place Project
Ceredigion County Council is prioritising engaging with its communities and places guided by the principles of placemaking, which is a people-centred approach to planning, designing, and managing public spaces. This project is about helping your community understand your needs, shape your vision and identify priorities, all of which will be presented in a unique Shaping Place Plan.
A Shaping Place Plan is a local strategy that shows what a community needs and wants for the future—like better parks, community facilities and amenities. It helps attract funding by clearly explaining why the project is needed.
- It uses local facts and figures to show what’s missing or could be improved.
- It sets out a shared vision from the community, showing what people want and why it matters.
- It links local ideas to wider council or government strategies, which funders like to see.
- It helps make sure money is spent where it will have the most impact.
- It can unlock money from different sources—government, private investors, or developers.
- It shows the project has support and isn’t relying on just one pot of money.
- It gives confidence to investors by showing the plan is well thought out and likely to succeed.
- It can bring together councils, communities, and businesses to work on shared goals.
Information on Place Plans can be found here: