What is Placemaking? Transform Public Spaces Creatively

Ever walked through a forgotten public square, maybe one that felt empty, overlooked, and just… there? Now, imagine that same square bustling with life—food trucks serving up local favorites, pop-up art installations sparking conversations, and neighbors catching up on newly installed benches.

That transformation is the very heart of placemaking. It’s a hands-on, community-led process where we collectively shape our public spaces to better reflect who we are and what we need.

Going Beyond Buildings: What Is Placemaking?

It’s easy to hear the term "placemaking" and immediately think of architecture, urban planning, or development. While those fields are certainly related, placemaking has a different focus. It’s all about the experience within a space, not just the physical structures that define it.

Placemaking shifts the perspective from a top-down design process to a collaborative, ground-up effort. Think of it less like an architect single-handedly designing a house and more like a community cultivating a shared garden.

The garden analogy really hits home. Residents don't just get handed a finished plot; they get their hands dirty, deciding together what to plant, where the pathways should go, and how to keep it thriving. The result is so much more than vegetables and flowers—it’s connection, shared ownership, and a space that truly nourishes everyone involved. That’s what placemaking does for our public squares, streets, and parks.

This simple idea—that people are the key to unlocking a place's potential—is beautifully illustrated here:

As you can see, it’s about creating a powerful loop between a place, its people, and the shared value they build together.

Placemaking vs. Traditional Development

So, what makes this so different from a typical construction project? It all comes down to intent and process. While both can transform a space, their starting points and end goals are worlds apart.

Traditional development often leads with buildings, infrastructure, and financial returns. Placemaking, on the other hand, puts people, experiences, and social connection first. It’s a human-centered approach. This is where creative firms like lpcreative studio often step in, helping bridge the gap between a developer’s vision and a community’s soul.

This community-first mindset is the driving force behind the most successful revitalization projects. In fact, it’s the very philosophy that fueled the Jenks Renaissance, the downtown master plan, and the Riverwalk Drive business boom right here in our own backyard.

The ultimate goal of placemaking is to create public spaces that are not just functional but are also loved. It aims to build a deep sense of belonging and connection between people and their places.

To really see the difference, let’s look at how each approach might tackle the same underused city lot.

Placemaking vs Traditional Development

Aspect	Traditional Development	Placemaking
Primary Focus	Buildings, return on investment, and land use efficiency.	People, community health, and social experience.
Process	Top-down, led by developers, architects, and city planners.	Collaborative, led by the community with professional support.
Outcome	A functional but potentially sterile environment or building.	A vibrant, well-used destination with a strong identity.

Ultimately, traditional development builds structures, but placemaking builds destinations. One creates real estate, while the other fosters a genuine sense of place that people are proud to call their own.

The Movement from Concrete Slabs to Community Hubs

To really get what placemaking is all about, you first have to ask why we even needed it. The idea didn't just pop up out of nowhere; it was a direct reaction to how cities were being designed in the mid-20th century. For decades, the name of the game was efficiency and order—separating every part of life into neat little boxes. You live here, you work there, and the factories are way over there.

This approach, a hallmark of modernist urban planning, put cars ahead of people and gave us vast, impersonal landscapes. Think of sprawling highways, single-use zoning that forced you to drive for every single errand, and public squares that were nothing more than empty, windswept concrete slabs between giant buildings. They might have looked functional on paper, but these places felt sterile and isolating. They were missing a soul.

A Human-Centered Rebellion

A powerful counter-movement started to bubble up, led by thinkers who saw the social damage this model was causing. They made a simple but profound argument: cities should be built for human connection, not just for cars to move through.

“There is no logic that can be superimposed on the city; people make it, and it is to them, not buildings, that we must fit our plans.” - Jane Jacobs

Pioneers like Jane Jacobs and Jan Gehl became the loudest critics of these cold, lifeless environments. They championed the idea of human-scale design—streets you could actually walk on, mixed-use neighborhoods where you could live and work, and public spaces that sparked spontaneous conversations. They didn't just theorize; they watched how people actually used cities and pushed for designs that embraced that organic, messy, wonderful reality.

This was a huge shift in thinking. It was a move away from seeing public areas as empty voids and toward understanding them as the very glue holding our communities together.

From Niche Idea to Global Standard

It's pretty amazing to see how this critique of sterile urban planning grew into a full-blown global movement. The groundwork laid by those early pioneers paved the way for the placemaking we see today, which is now a worldwide practice. Even major organizations like the UN now point to placemaking as a key ingredient for building inclusive, safe, and accessible cities where people feel like they belong.

This approach often gets its start with creative, temporary ideas to test the waters and build some buzz. For instance, a lot of what goes into planning a successful pop-up event draws from these very principles of activation. The goal is to make spaces vibrant and multi-functional, a core element of modern development. If you're curious about how this applies to larger projects, you can see these ideas in action by exploring the many mixed-use development benefits that come directly from this people-first philosophy.

When you look back at this journey from cold concrete to lively community hubs, one thing becomes crystal clear: the best places aren't just built. They are nurtured, co-created, and loved into existence by the very people who use them every single day.

The Guiding Principles of Great Public Spaces

What really separates a truly great public space from a run-of-the-mill one? It’s not about having the most expensive benches or the fanciest fountains. The real magic lies in a handful of powerful ideas that turn a simple spot on a map into a place people genuinely love.

Successful placemaking projects are never just happy accidents. They follow a proven approach that’s all about creating experiences. Think of these principles as the core ingredients for building community anchors—the kind of places that feel inviting, engaging, and truly meaningful to the people who use them every single day.

The Power of Ten Plus

A central idea in modern placemaking is the “Power of 10+.” It's a simple but game-changing concept: for a place to truly thrive, it needs to offer at least ten different things for people to do. It’s just not enough to have a lone playground or a single bench.

Think about it from your own experience. A spot with only one or two things to do has a pretty limited draw. But a destination that offers 10 or more reasons to visit—and to stick around—creates a magnetic energy that pulls people in.

And these activities don't need to be complicated or expensive. They could be as simple as:

• A great spot to sit and enjoy a coffee.

• A unique piece of public art to admire.

• Movable chairs that let people create their own little nook.

• A water feature where kids can splash around.

• A pop-up market with local goods.

• A shaded outdoor reading area.

This kind of variety is what transforms a "pass-through" area into a vibrant, multi-layered hub. The goal is to build up enough activity that the place just feels alive.

Community Voice as the Foundation

If there’s one non-negotiable, it’s this: the community must have a voice. Real placemaking is never a top-down affair where designers simply impose their vision onto a neighborhood. It has to be a deeply collaborative process, from start to finish.

The local community members are the real experts. They hold the historical perspective, the day-to-day insights, and a gut-level understanding of what will actually work for them. Great placemaking doesn’t just ask for input; it builds real partnerships.

This means bringing residents to the table from the very beginning to understand their hopes, their needs, and their worries. What do they already love about their area? What’s missing? When you listen deeply, the final space reflects the community’s true identity and creates a powerful sense of ownership. After all, when people feel like they helped create a place, they're far more likely to use it, care for it, and make it their own.

Core Attributes of a Great Place

Beyond the big-picture strategies, truly successful public spaces share four key qualities. These attributes, developed by the renowned organization Project for Public Spaces, offer a clear checklist for what makes any park, plaza, or public square work.

A great place is:

1. Accessible & Well-Connected: It has to be easy to get to and navigate. That means clear sightlines, walkable paths, and seamless connections to the surrounding streets. People should never feel isolated or cut off.

2. Comfortable & Inviting: The space needs to feel safe, clean, and welcoming. Things like good seating, proper lighting, and shelter from the sun or rain are crucial. A comfortable place is one where people want to linger.

3. Active & Engaging: There should always be something going on. This ties right back to the Power of 10+, ensuring there are reasons to visit throughout the day and across different seasons, from a morning farmers market to an evening concert.

4. Sociable & Friendly: At the end of the day, great public spaces are where people connect. They’re the backdrop for all kinds of social interactions—watching kids play, meeting up with friends, or simply feeling like you’re part of a community.

When you see these principles come together, the result is so much more than just a well-designed area. It’s a dynamic, responsive, and cherished piece of the community fabric.

While the idea of placemaking often brings up images of beautiful parks and lively town squares, its value goes far beyond just good vibes. When done right, placemaking is an investment that delivers real, measurable returns that can be felt across a community’s economic, social, and even physical health.

Think about what happens when a forgotten corner of a city is transformed into a destination people genuinely want to visit. The first and most obvious change is economic. Local businesses—the cafes, shops, and restaurants that make up the heart of a town—get a direct boost from the simple fact that more people are around.

The Economic Boost of Great Places

A well-designed public space acts like a magnet. By adding attractions and comfortable places to linger, it draws people in and encourages them to stick around. This surge in foot traffic creates a direct pipeline of potential customers for every business nearby. More visitors mean more sales, which leads to a healthier, more resilient local economy.

The numbers back this up, and they're compelling. Even small, lower-cost projects, sometimes called tactical placemaking, can pack a serious punch. Research has shown that simple moves like temporarily reopening a street to pedestrians or converting a few parking spots into a parklet can increase foot traffic by up to 30%. For the surrounding businesses, that can translate to a 10-20% bump in revenue—a significant lift that helps keep local dollars local. You can dive deeper into these kinds of findings from placemaking studies around the globe on platforms like re-dwell.eu.

Getting these kinds of impactful initiatives off the ground is often more achievable than community leaders might think. For anyone looking to start a project, exploring the best sources for funding for community projects is a fantastic first step.

Stronger Communities and Healthier People

But the benefits aren’t just about the bottom line. Placemaking has a profound effect on social well-being. When people feel safe and welcome in a public space, they actually use it. This simple act strengthens community bonds, combats social isolation, and builds a powerful sense of collective pride and ownership.

A great public space is essentially the community's living room. It's a shared, neutral ground where neighbors can connect, interact, and build the kind of informal relationships that are the true bedrock of a strong society.

This uptick in social connection also has a direct link to public safety. When a space is active, well-lit, and full of people, it naturally deters crime. The simple presence of "eyes on the street" creates an atmosphere of informal surveillance, making the entire area feel safer and more inviting for everyone.

Finally, the health benefits are impossible to ignore. Smart placemaking encourages physical activity by its very design.

• Walkable pathways give people a reason to get out of their cars and move their bodies.

• Accessible green spaces offer a place for recreation and relaxation, which helps reduce stress.

• Playgrounds and sports courts provide families and individuals with dedicated spots for active fun.

By making it easy and enjoyable to walk, bike, and play, these initiatives become powerful public health tools. The impact is crystal clear: investing in a place is a direct investment in the people who call it home.

How The Ten District Became a Community Anchor

Theory is one thing, but seeing it come to life is where the magic really happens. To understand what placemaking looks like on the ground, you don't have to look any further than The Ten District, right here in Jenks, Oklahoma. Its story is a perfect case study in how deliberate, thoughtful development can turn a quiet, underused area into the real heart of a community.

What you see today in The Ten District wasn't an accident. It’s the result of a conscious choice to create a place that not only serves its residents but also draws people in from all over. This wasn't just about putting up a few new buildings; it was about curating a genuine experience.

By carefully weaving together walkable streets, a dynamic mix of local businesses, and spaces for people to gather, The Ten District became the kind of place people truly want to be. It's a textbook example of placemaking done right.

Weaving a Rich Community Fabric

One of the smartest moves was creating a mixed-use environment. Instead of walling off retail from dining and residential spaces, The Ten District integrated them. This simple but powerful strategy ensures the area is alive with activity all day and well into the evening. You won't find the "ghost town" effect here that plagues so many commercial strips after 5 p.m.

The result is a district that hums with a constant, pleasant energy, from morning coffee runs to late-night dinners. That gentle buzz makes the whole area feel safer, more interesting, and fundamentally more alive.

This careful planning extends to the businesses themselves. There’s a strong focus on independent, locally owned shops and restaurants, which is key to preserving the unique character of Jenks. This approach ensures that money spent here stays in the local economy and gives the district an authentic feel that a generic shopping mall could never replicate.

The Ten District proves that a place's identity is its greatest asset. By focusing on what makes Jenks unique, it created an attraction that feels both fresh and deeply rooted in local culture.

Making Room for People and Events

Another critical piece of the puzzle was shifting the focus from cars to people. This meant prioritizing walkability and public spaces. Streets were redesigned to be safe and comfortable for pedestrians, encouraging folks to park once and explore on foot. This subtle change naturally slows the pace, invites discovery, and lets people pop into a shop or notice the little details that give the district its charm.

But it goes beyond just the storefronts. The Ten District is actively programmed with a calendar full of community events, which are the lifeblood of any true gathering place. These activities include things like:

• Outdoor Markets: Showcasing local artisans and producers, creating a perfect weekend destination for families.

• Public Art Installations: Adding visual flair and cultural talking points that reflect Oklahoma's creative side.

• Festivals and Live Music: Providing those shared experiences that bring people together and forge lasting memories.

These events don't just fill a calendar; they activate the public spaces and give people compelling reasons to come back again and again. One of the most anticipated new additions is a market space, a development that's already moving forward as the Jenks Market passes the planning commission. It promises to be yet another anchor for community life.

Through all these combined efforts, The Ten District has become much more than just a collection of city blocks—it’s a beloved community anchor.

Your Placemaking Questions Answered

So, you're seeing the potential of placemaking, but a few questions are still rattling around. That’s a good thing. It means you’re moving past the big, exciting ideas and digging into how this stuff actually works on the ground. Let's tackle some of the most common questions to clear things up.

Think of this as your quick-reference guide. It's here to help you talk about, understand, and maybe even champion great placemaking right where you live.

Is Placemaking the Same as Urban Design?

They’re definitely related, but they're not the same beast. Think of urban design as building the stage. It’s the big-picture stuff—the layout of streets, where the buildings and parks go, the overall physical framework of a city. It's the essential foundation.

Placemaking, on the other hand, is about what happens on that stage. It’s the soul. It’s the process of bringing those spaces to life with community programming, smart management, and activities that people genuinely love. Urban design provides the container; placemaking fills it with energy and character.

Can Small, Low-Cost Projects Really Make a Difference?

Absolutely. In fact, some of the most powerful placemaking wins start small. This approach is often called tactical urbanism—or "Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper"—and it’s all about using temporary, low-cost projects to test ideas and show what’s possible.

What does that look like?

• Scattering some movable tables and chairs in an empty plaza.

• Painting a vibrant mural or a colorful crosswalk.

• Hosting a pop-up market or a food truck festival for a weekend.

These small victories prove a space's potential. They build momentum and often pave the way for bigger, more permanent improvements down the road. You don’t need a massive budget to start making things better.

Placemaking isn't measured by the size of the budget, but by the scale of the heart. It’s about the care, creativity, and community spirit you pour into a place, no matter how small.

How Does Placemaking Handle Gentrification?

This is a critical question, and it gets to the very heart of doing this work responsibly. The goal of placemaking is to improve a neighborhood for the people who are already there, not to push them out. To be successful, placemaking has to be equitable and inclusive.

This means bringing longtime residents and local business owners to the table from day one. Their needs, culture, and priorities have to lead the charge. When the community is deeply involved in the process, you drastically reduce the risk of creating a place that no longer feels like home to them. Real success is when a neighborhood gets better without losing its soul. A great place to begin is by understanding the 9 community engagement strategies you should know to make sure every voice is heard.

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These principles—creating a destination that is driven by and for the community—are exactly what fuels us at The Ten District. Our commitment is to build a vibrant, welcoming hub in Jenks where local character thrives and everyone feels a sense of belonging. Come see for yourself what makes our district special. Learn more at https://www.thetendistrict.com.