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Proud to be Placemakers

Did you know that Pobl are signatories of the Placemaking Wales Charter?

What is placemaking?

Placemaking involves working collaboratively across sectors and disciplines to comprehensively consider the future development of distinctive and vibrant places.

At Pobl, placemaking is at the centre of our developments. For decades the homes delivered in the UK have been shrinking with limited flexibility and choice. The sense of place that historically we were so good at creating has been lost in a drive for profit and a proliferation of regulations which have combined to make so many of our communities soulless with estates of houses dominated by cars, tarmac and characterless houses. At Pobl we believe and have proven that it’s possible to do so much better. To create places which are safe, sustainable and attractive.

Listen to Neil Barber (Executive Director Commercial) talking about what placemaking means at Pobl:

What is the Placemaking Charter?

The Placemaking Wales Charter has been developed by Welsh Government and the Design Commission for Wales in collaboration with the Placemaking Wales Partnership – a multi-disciplinary group representing professions and organisations working within the built and natural environment.

The Charter builds on the strengthening focus on Placemaking in policy and practice in Wales and aims to provide a common understanding of the range of considerations that go into placemaking. The charter outlines six placemaking principles that cover the range of considerations that contribute to establishing and maintaining good places.

You can find out more about the charter by watching this video from the launch in September 2020:

 

The six placemaking principles are people and community, location, movement, mix of uses, public realm and identity. You can find out more about what each of these mean by clicking on the headings below:

  • People and community

    The local community are involved in the development of proposals. The needs, aspirations, health and well-being of all people are considered at the outset. Proposals are shaped to help to meet these needs as well as create, integrate, protect and/or enhance a sense of community and promote equality.

  • Location

    Places grow and develop in a way that uses land efficiently, supports and enhances existing places and is well connected. The location of housing, employment, leisure and other facilities are planned to help reduce the need to travel.

  • Movement

    Walking, cycling and public transport are prioritised to provide a choice of transport modes and avoid dependence on private vehicles. Well designed and safe active travel routes connect to the wider active travel and public transport network, and public transport stations and stops are positively integrated.

  • Mix of uses

    Places have a range of purposes which provide opportunities for community development, local business growth and access to jobs, services and facilities via walking, cycling or public transport. Development density and a mix of uses and tenures helps to support a diverse community and vibrant public realm.

  • Public realm

    Streets and public spaces are well defined, welcoming, safe and inclusive with a distinct identity. They are designed to be robust and adaptable with landscape, green infrastructure and sustainable drainage well integrated. They are well connected to existing places and promote opportunities for social interaction and a range of activities for all people.

  • Identity

    The positive, distinctive qualities of existing places are valued and respected. The unique features and opportunities of a location, including heritage, culture, language, built and natural physical attributes, are identified and responded to.

What does it mean to be a signatory of the charter?

In signing the Placemaking Wales Charter, Pobl have agreed to support placemaking in all relevant areas of our work and promote the six placemaking principles in the planning, design and management of new and existing places.

The spirit of the partnership is of one of mutual support, encouragement, and positive action.

Signatories are expected to promote and uphold the principles of the charter in all of their work.

To find out more, you can visit the Design Commission for Wales website: www.dcfw.org/placemaking