Placemaking isn’t just about temporary interventions; it aims for lasting impact for a more inclusive, resilient, and dynamic urban environment. We invite you to contribute to the discussion on how to acknowledge, define and ensure placemaking within the systemic reality. How can we leverage and integrate the city’s cultural capital into the urban development processes? And how can we achieve sustainable collaborations with the people who are the DNA of a place? Within this theme, we explore the importance of diverse perspectives and communities in shaping the city. We delve into the power of crossovers to come up with fresh and innovative solutions, ranging from experiments and temporary initiatives to long-term transformation.

Placemaking provides opportunities to enhance the resilience of communities and cities against the impact of climate change, such as heavy rainfall, sea level rise, flooding, drought, land subsidence, and heatwaves. Placemaking can bridge the gap to involve inhabitants and visitors in these transition challenges and encourage them to take collective action in numerous ways, sustaining it over time. Within this theme, we explore solutions for establishing a balanced relationship with nature, climate inclusivity and the use of climate actions to achieve broader social and physical goals. We are curious about nature-based or regenerative placemaking practices that create greener, healthier, and more resilient environments for humans and biodiversity.

The function of waterfronts has changed over the years, as has the approach and utilisation of these spaces. This theme explores the dynamic relationship between urban environments and waterways, transcending traditional notions of waterfront development. Waterfront placemaking celebrates the natural ebb and flow of the coexistence between urban life and water. We delve into the local stories from past and present, and investigate how local heroes and innovators can develop these areas into vibrant, inclusive, and accessible spaces that build upon the accumulated value. Through these urban narratives, we explore how to enrich waterfronts and in what ways placemaking can contribute to creating connection and awareness around water among our urban residents.

Within this theme, we embrace the powers that make cities thrive, including creatives, artists, community builders, social programmers and everyday individuals. Anyone can be a placemaking hero, and local initiators are incredibly important players in strengthening their ecosystem. Despite often operating without official recognition or financial support, they shape the true identity of a place. Meanwhile-spaces for arts, culture, and community are vital for solidarity, self-expression, and resilience, and contribute greatly to the spirit of a place. Under this theme, we delve into the stories and needs to allow the transformative potential of the placemaking landscape to flourish. We’ll explore how these sometimes overlooked forces can be cherished, and how the continuity of these powers is not only important but essential for fostering vibrant, innovative, and inclusive cities.