The Place Partners online engagement tool is now accessible by phone! We’re really excited about it and how it will make life easier for people to instantly upload and share images straight from the comfort of their smart phone! Users of the tool will be able to send through a picture of their most loved place as an example of doing things right, or their most hated space for need of improvement!

The engagement tool also encourages participation in forums, surveys and allows users to register for upcoming events and workshops.

Email us to register your interest and for bespoke packages available for your business. 

You missed it! Sussex Lane in Sydney turned green, but just as quickly as the grass was laid, so too was it taken away!

The Sussex Lane Pop Up resembled nothing of its concrete past as for the past two days it was transformed into a green oasis. Users of the space were not only encouraged to take a seat but also play a game of bocce and enjoy a coffee or glass of vino from one of the small cafes/restaurants nearby. 

What was not expected, or programmed as part of the event, was the rain! Sydney has just experienced one of the wettest months on record and this did not help the situation with real turf covering the entire area, collecting water, and turning the space into a giant mudscape. Luckily reinforcements were called in and the grass was replaced before too many heels got stuck! 

Once the lane returned to its green temporary self, it became host to both Pecha Kucha and Greenups - two unique presentation styles that discussed green initiatives happening in the city! Our friends at Sam Crawford Architects were there and so too were the Sydney intsagram community who catalogued the event through pictures. 

The temporary nature of such spaces creates excitement within the city - unexpected surprises at every turn! But they also highlight sustainable living, citizens taking ownership of the world around them and the importance of high quality gathering spaces. We at Place Partners love intiatives like this and whatever their outcome believe they are positive steps towards changing how we see and use our city, and all for the better! 

Watch the video here. 

Imagine a drive-in cinema for bikes instead of cars! Well its here! 

On Friday night Place Partners was at Taylor Square, watching an italian masterpiece powered by pedal power! The Cycle-in Cinema was warmly embraced by the community with volunteers queuing to take their turn at powering the film! Programming of activity like this builds upon the existing character of a place, promotes creativity and enhances liveability.

Let us know about cool things happening where you live?

On Tuesday night Place Partners attended the first City Conversation for 2012 - Headland Park, Barangaroo!

THE PRESENTATION

The renowned landscape architect and lead designer, Peter Walker, presented his design for the park and discussed what this means for a global Sydney. The focus of his talk was re-introducing us to Sydney, presenting a site analysis of the park and discussing his vision for a 'naturalistic' headland, that is, 'to accomodate humans in a natural way'. 

The four main points from the presentation and proposed design of the headland were:

1. The headland will form an unbroken chain, a cultural ribbon and linear system of recreation,
2. Public spaces are to be kept general so they can be programmed and respond to locals love of the outdoors and cultural events,
3. Public spaces are to be accessible to all, and
4. The headland will become an educational experience with formal signs describing flora, fauna and history. 

At the conclusion of the presentation, a panel of experts discussed the proposed vision and concepts focussing primarily on the 'naturalistic' qualities of the space and the meaning of the term. 

THE REVIEW

Overall I was a little disappointed with the presentation. I was waiting for the 'x factor' or the truly innovative and creative 'thing' worthy of the investment already made to the Park's development and commissioning of an international consultant. But nothing surfaced. The site analysis and description of Sydney's people was probably the wrong start given the audience was just that, a room full of Sydney people! And finally not once was it referred, that community engagement findings were included in the formulation of the vision. It was however mentioned several times that Paul Keating's vision played a major role. 

THE SOLUTION

While we don't have all the answers, a placemakers touch would help! We have just completed a project at Edmondson Park that focusses on implementing a place character vision within each public space identified in the master plan. By doing so, risk of sameness is avoided and identity can be established at a micro scale. We undertook primary and secondary research, reviewed past engagement and conducted our own, and worked with key stakeholders and the project team in an iterative process that is already producing results.

We look forward to seeing the Headland Park evolve and as Clover Moore stated in finishing "onward and upward - from this point forward we all need to work together on Barangaroo".

Watch, listen and download the talk here. 

Blog entry written by John.