--- title: Identifying how to make mixed-use locations unique description: Here are a few of our top tips to ensure you are keeping residents happy, retaining residents in mixed-use developments image: https://blog.activeprofile.co.uk/hubfs/IDENTIFYING%20HOW%20TO%20MAKE%20MIXED-USE%20LOCATIONS%20UNIQUE.png --- [![Active-Profile-logo_pastel-pink](https://blog.activeprofile.co.uk/hubfs/Logos/Active-Profile-logo_pastel-pink.svg)](http://www.activeprofile.co.uk/)   - [About us](https://activeprofile.co.uk#section-1) - [What we do](https://activeprofile.co.uk#section-2) - [Work with us](https://activeprofile.co.uk#section-3) - Get in touch # Identifying how to make mixed-use locations unique Read Time: 1 minutes [![Identifying how to make mixed-use locations unique](https://blog.activeprofile.co.uk/hubfs/IDENTIFYING%20HOW%20TO%20MAKE%20MIXED-USE%20LOCATIONS%20UNIQUE.png)](https://blog.activeprofile.co.uk/identifying-how-to-make-mixed-use-locations-unique) "Be a voice, not an echo," said Albert Einstein. And when it comes to making your mixed-use locations unique, the same principle applies. Be brave in your creations and lead the way in forming a community that people love and are proud to be a part of. Here are three easy steps to help you along. ## Take a trip down memory lane A location’s history should be the first chapter in your placemaking story. Take inspiration its heritage and adapt it for a modern context. As part of the emerging business district in the city of Chester at [Muse Developments’ City Place](https://www.musedevelopments.com/case-study/city-place-chester), a Grade II listed rail shed has been brought back to life and transformed into an open-air events space. It’s a brilliant example of how to draw upon historical context - in this case the city’s industrial roots and transport history – and reimagine it for 21st century use. It’s now a fantastic and unique place to visit with the newly named ‘[Carriage Shed](http://www.carriageshed.co.uk/)’ used for regular artisan fairs and other events, from fashion shows to food festivals. Letting history shape your placemaking strategy gives you the opportunity to create a distinctive destination like no other. ## people first When spaces work well, they "serve as the stage for our public lives." That’s according to the [Project for Public Spaces](http://www.pps.org/). With this in mind, always think ‘people first'. Absorb an area's culture, getting to grips with social habits, music, arts, religion, food and every aspect of life that make the local people unique. Your strategy can centre around this group of people - from the type of space they’d appreciate, to events they’d enjoy. As the basis of your placemaking, this approach means you’ll build inspirational and memorable places that are attractive to occupiers and visitors. ## embrace the elements Work with the elements. Is your building a sun trap? Build a beautiful rooftop garden. Plenty of natural light? Power your space through solar. Positioned by a picturesque river? Create a floating bar. When it comes to winter, it doesn’t have to mean going indoors either. Let people enjoy the outside space by creating covered markets and festivals. You can get outdoor heating to keep people cosy or even build an ice rink. By working with what you have to make it exciting and attractive, people will flock to be part of the buzz and activity. ***This article gives a brief insight into how you can go about making mixed-use locations unique. 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.***     Written by #### Carrie Allen-Snell #### Share this article ### Subscribe to our blog PUBLIC RELATIONS, project management, place, Marketing, PR, Events ![Maximising your profile: amplifying content at business events and conferences](https://blog.activeprofile.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/SHOWCASING%20THE%20POTENTIAL%20OF%20YOUR%20PRODUCT%20THROUGH%20GROWTH%20EXPERIMENTS-3.png?width=690&name=SHOWCASING%20THE%20POTENTIAL%20OF%20YOUR%20PRODUCT%20THROUGH%20GROWTH%20EXPERIMENTS-3.png) FEATURED POST Latest Post #### [Maximising your profile: amplifying content at business events and conferences](https://blog.activeprofile.co.uk/maximising-your-profile-amplifying-content-at-business-events-and-conferences) Read Time: 5 minutes Latest Post #### [Harnessing Collective Genius in an Election Year: Bringing the Tech Sector Together Amid Change](https://blog.activeprofile.co.uk/harnessing-collective-genius-in-an-election-year-bringing-the-tech-sector-together-amid-change) Read Time: 5 minutes [Making careers in PR accessible with Agent Academy](https://blog.activeprofile.co.uk/making-careers-in-pr-accessible-with-agent-academy) Read Time: 3 minutes --- [‘All in’ case study: building brand authority and awareness through proactive PR and experiments](https://blog.activeprofile.co.uk/all-in-case-study-building-brand-authority-and-awareness-through-proactive-pr-and-experiments) Read Time: 4 minutes --- [Urban futures, regional impact: Launching Avison Young’s outlook reports across the UK](https://blog.activeprofile.co.uk/urban-futures-regional-impact-launching-avison-youngs-outlook-reports-across-the-uk) Read Time: 3 minutes --- GROWTH MARKETING, Marketing Experiments ![Why Marketing Experimentation is Better Than Your Guesswork](https://blog.activeprofile.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/WHY%20MARKETING%20EXPERIMENTATION%20IS%20BETTER%20THAN%20YOUR%20GUESSWORK.png?width=690&name=WHY%20MARKETING%20EXPERIMENTATION%20IS%20BETTER%20THAN%20YOUR%20GUESSWORK.png) FEATURED POST Latest Post #### [Why Marketing Experimentation is Better Than Your Guesswork](https://blog.activeprofile.co.uk/why-marketing-experimentation-is-better-than-your-guesswork) Read Time: 5 minutes Latest Post #### [Creating a Marketing Strategy Fit for Growth: A Whistle-Stop Guide](https://blog.activeprofile.co.uk/creating-a-marketing-strategy-fit-for-growth-a-whistle-stop-guide) Read Time: 7 minutes [The 4 magical marketing metrics investors want to see](https://blog.activeprofile.co.uk/4-marketing-metrics-investors-want-to-see) Read Time: 3 minutes --- [3 reasons why CEOs need agile marketing post Covid-19](https://blog.activeprofile.co.uk/3-reasons-why-ceos-need-agile-marketing-post-covid-19) Read Time: 6 minutes --- [Can a growth communications strategy scale your brand? 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