Both the quality and process of placemaking, defined loosely within this publication as a project that occurs in public spaces helping people to feel connected to a place and greater community, has demonstrated physical, mental, and social health benefits.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Both the quality and process of placemaking, defined loosely within this publication as a project that occurs in public spaces helping people to feel connected to a place and greater community, has demonstrated physical, mental, and social health benefits.
RESULTS:
Placemaking initiatives, such as resident-led pavement painting or community garden projects, create opportunities for gathering, socialization, and volunteerism, which have been shown to reduce psychological distress and depression, increase perceived safety, and mitigate crime.
Placemaking that creates or improves parks and play spaces helps to encourage recreational walking; increase physical activity; diversify use of the space; and generate a sense of community and ownership, which in turn contributes to greater use of parks.
Greenery helps make public spaces more attractive by adding visual appeal, comfort, and the opportunity to develop and reflect a place’s unique identity. This can lead to increased physical activity; reduced depression, anxiety and stress; increased attention and memory; social interaction and/or community activities that build social capital; reduced violent crime; improved air and water quality; and resilience to flooding.
Placemaking that creates and/or supports healthy food environments can lead to: increased individual fruit and vegetable consumption; food security; economic development opportunities to the local food system; opportunities for local entrepreneurship, socialization, community building, and nutrition and food-based education; and environmental sustainability.
Placemaking to improve a community’s walkability can lead to: increased physical activity and cognitive function; reduced risk factors of obesity and chronic disease; improved safety and accessibility of streets and other public spaces; enhanced local economies; and reduced air pollution and greenhouse gases by encouraging non-automotive transportation.
METHODS:
This publication identifies current research and case studies linking placemaking and health around five themes:
Social support and interaction
Play and active recreation
Green and natural environments
Healthy food
Walking and biking.
For each of the five themes listed in this publication, an explanation of its role in placemaking, a literature review detailing why the theme is important for community health, a summary of key research findings, future areas of research, and action strategies for communities are provided.
Project for Public Spaces, Inc. (2016). The Case for Healthy Places – Improving Health Outcomes Through Placemaking. Retrieved from: https://www.pps.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Healthy-Places-PPS.pdf
