Placemaking in a Pandemic: Part 2 – Connecting with Your Neighbours
Last week we looked at practical ways that business owners could utilise some ideas of placemaking to bring vibrancy to their precincts and shop fronts. We covered simple practical ideas that could be done immediately and at a low cost.
This week we will further explore how placemaking can play an important role in our economic and social recovery by looking at ways that we can connect and work alongside other shop owners in our precinct to re-imagine our shared spaces, make use of under-utilised assets and tap into local networks.
Community led placemaking is when members of the community get involved in shaping the place that they inhabit to create an identity that is unique to the space and the people that occupy it. This approach to city making has been growing in recent years but in light of Covid-19 many people are examining the ways in which place making can contribute to economic and social recovery of urban spaces.
Building Cohesion and Finding Common Ground
Making time to check in with businesses near you will improve and build relationships and help identify opportunities to collaborate. Who doesn’t want a more socially connected precinct?
A simple act that can leave you and your customers feeling good. Questions you might want to ask:
What trends are they noticing?
What new behaviours are they seeing?
How have their needs changed?
What physical changes to the space do they wish to see?
Use these questions to find common ground and ways that you may be able to support one another to mutually benefit.
Shared Spaces
Physical distancing requirements mean that we all need a bit more space to operate and socialise safely. People have found a new use for public spaces since COVID and businesses can pick up on that trend.
Conduct a simple audit and make a list of under-utilised spaces around your precinct, is there a spare patch of grass, under-utilised car parks, public spaces that are not being used? Together you might create a safe waiting space for customers as they wait to pick up orders, wait to be seated, or casually enjoy their coffee and a chat.
You may share a row of socially distanced seats between your businesses or have a pop up market on the sidewalk that’s safe and easy for customers to browse while making heads turn as they walk or drive past.
Feel free to get in touch with council’s Economic Development & Tourism team to discuss an area you have identified to activate.
Beautification Projects
We are all trying to find new ways to market ourselves on an increasingly tight budget. Many of us are increasing our efforts in online and digital, but what about in the physical?
As we discussed last week, more people are staying closer to their local neighbourhood so there is opportunity to draw them in by getting creative with our neighbours to find new and interesting ways to attract customers and attention.
Find ways to activate your precinct. Share the costs to hire an artist to do a beautiful Instagram worthy chalk mural on the footpath, hire a local musician to serenade on the corner during lunchtime, or work with a local artist collective to showcase an art exhibition in your windows.
There are plenty of case studies to explore here
Building a Network for Future Growth
Forming place based trader groups are a great way to work together to promote and build a unique identity for your retail area to encourage visitation and work in collaboration with the City of Melton on projects that develop up the precinct.
A unified group of businesses increases their chances at getting funding for projects while also creating a unique recognisable identity that customers are drawn too.
Have discussions with the businesses around you about what a local trader group may look like in your area, who would be involved and how it may mutually benefit your businesses.
No matter which way you look at it, we are always stronger when we work together. Finding ways to connect and work with the businesses and community around you will contribute to a more robust and resilient shopping precinct that will not only attract customers but will build community.
If you are inspired to find more ways to make your shopping precinct or neighbourhood come to life, this free step by step practical guide by Co-Design Studio will walk you through the process to community led placemaking.
If you have questions or would like to discuss an idea further, Council’s Economic Development & Tourism team is here to help – simply give us a call on 9747 7157 or email venturemelton@melton.vic.gov.au
Randi Wagner
Place Engagement & Activation Officer
Melton City Council