What makes a sense of place? By definition, it’s "the characteristics that make a place special or unique and the experience a person has in that setting."

When you're buying a house, it’s all about location, location, location. Is it near local amenities? Is the area nice? Will I feel part of a safe and friendly community? Researchers say that homeowners value environment over the actual building. So, when creating a place to attract occupiers, it’s 'people first'.

It’s important, of course, to have the infrastructure in place - the right blend of office, residential, leisure and retail, supported by solid transport links. But a sense of place goes beyond physical infrastructure, as placemaking is about strengthening the connection between people and places. It’s about turning physical public spaces into places that support human interaction, economic exchange and well-being.  

Today’s office  

Take today’s office environment - we’re seeing a shift in employee behaviour as workers demand greater flexibility and work / life balance. It’s about working hard and playing hard with health, happiness and wellbeing at the very top of the agenda. Spaces to play are the building blocks of a community, so be creative. Pop-up cinemas, silent discos, skate parks, artisan fairs, secret gigs, BBQs - make the space a fun place to be.

Employees want to be part of a thriving business community with other like-minded companies. Flexible, well-designed office space with collaborative break-out areas and shared public space is also a no-brainer. Ultimately, offices should reflect a business's personality and become a home-from-home for its occupiers.

Attract occupiers  

It’s about developing attractive and engaging mixed-use space in tune with modern lifestyles. Do this well and you’ll not only be a magnet for occupiers, but you’ll also enhance the existing community. People want to live, work and play in a place which has its own narrative and purpose. Clever placemaking is the art of rethinking the physical, cultural and social. Done well, it is transformational, drives continuous investment and leaves a legacy for future generations. 

This article gives a brief insight into how you can go about creating a sense of place to attract mixed-use occupiers. There's a lot more detail in our ebook Effective Placemaking Communications For Your Mixed-Use Development, Volume 1: Explore, which you can download for free with just an email address.