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After so many years working with and listening to communities, we came up with a simple model.

[We think it’s pretty cool and clever.]

Village Well’s robust Placemaking model has been proven on many projects ranging in scale and complexity. The model allows us to consider all aspects of a project from global perspectives to individual values, across time and cultures to deliver succinct principles and recommendations for all our project stakeholders to understand and implement. We aim to keep it simple and actionable.

Our process includes a critical analysis of how places successfully operate from the five perspectives of People, Place, Product, Program and Planet, the 5 Ps of Place.

Village Well's 5Ps Model

  • Community Values

    Engaging with the community that live, work or play in a particular place provides insight into what the community's particular needs, desires and values are (the wisdom lies in the community!)

  • Story of the Land

    The Story of the Land looks at the specific indigenous, cultural, historical and geographical origins of a place (pretty much everything that makes it unique).

  • Global & Local Trends

    By delving into global and local trends we can establish the context for a particular place and be strategic about its development and growth from a broader perspective.

    From this 'Lay of the Land' research as we like to call it, we provide a cohesive story that underpins the guiding principles and actions that will deliver the best outcome for the place - the Story of the Land.

  • Key Themes

    This is where we digest the Story of the Land, Global and Local Trends and Community Values and identify the most important themes and principles that will guide the Place Making work specific to each project.

  • Place Essence

    The Place Essence is essentially a dedicated response to both the Story of the Land (Lay of the Land) and the community's understanding of a place and how it can be represented in the physical, social, environmental and cultural elements of that place. The Place Essence is a distillation of the sensory experience of the Story of the Land , it describes a felt sense of the place– do you follow what we are saying? Read on to find out more!

  • People

    Involving the community in decision-making, ongoing management and activation of a place is critical to its success. Creating authentic, transparent and collaborative relationships across all sectors and with all stakeholders is essential to creating a great place with strong community ownership and pride – this is NUMBER ONE.

  • Place

    Place, in its most simple form describes the physical aspects of a space. At its most complex it reveals and encourages a relationship between people and their environment, both built and natural. This is where we explore the hard infrastructure. It informs the way we see ourselves and the world. At its best it unleashes the creative capacity of our community, and provides a unique and nourishing sense of home.

  • Program

    This is where we explore the marketing, events, management and activity occurring in a place. Great places have fantastic activation and marketing programs. Great programming expresses what is unique and attractive about our place for locals and visitors alike. This can be achieved through place branding and marketing strategies, events, public art and other formal and informal activities. It is essential that the community is involved wherever possible to enliven and animate the public realm.

  • Product

    In Place Making, product is more than simply what is on offer for sale.. Great places are made up of more than a retail experience; they include civic, cultural, office and residential components, the provision of community services and basic facilities such as bathrooms and children's play areas with access for all... because everyone needs something to do and see in a great place, and to feel welcome!

  • Planet

    Planet is the relationship between the environment, its climate, bioregional assets, flora and fauna, and the local community. It is the grounding concept that reminds us of our interconnected relationship with the earth that sustains us. Everything around us from the built form, to the food that nourishes our bodies comes from nature, and now more than ever respecting this relationship is key to building resilient communities that can respond to global environmental challenges. This is so important we'll talk your head off about it if you want us to!

  • Activating the Essence

    Activating the Essence involves providing a range of creative support services for the delivery of Place Making activities including markets, public art installations and community art projects, place branding, community gardens, sustainable transport hubs, cultural events, neighbourhood blitzes, street parties, shopfront makeovers…the list is as varied as your imagination.

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