This website covers the theory, principles and process of urban design and placemaking and the tools and techniques to enable practical application. 

For those who are at the forefront of urban development, management and design it will be a refresher of fundamentals.

To those on the periphery, it will assist in understanding principles, concepts and qualities of good urban design, which we often respond to but find it harder to articulate and identify. We will share the “place skills” which can help make the very most of the places you are creating. This manual presents an introduction to urban design and placemaking.

While we refer to the theory of urban design, this is more of a practical introduction to urban design and placemaking with information on qualities, principles, processes, tools, national and international best practice and references. 

Placefocus offers several face to face or online training modules which reinforce the principles and concepts presented by this manual. We will also be offering other modules relating to urban design and placemaking in the future so please visit placefocus.com for more information.

The 'what' of urban design

Urban Design + Placemaking 101: introduces urban design and placemaking by discussing the differences, confirming our shared focus on form and social fabric, and providing clarity on urban design leadership.

Place Principles: a broader context is required when working on cities. As with any human endeavour, our mind set towards our urban environment affects not only our approach but also the results. While this workbook will present concepts, principles and practices which are important, the most critical aspect is how we think of the city.

Place Qualities: most of the cherished and highly valued places in Australia, as well as other parts of the world, share key characteristics or 'Place Qualities'.

The 'why' of urban design

Place Outcomes: when we provide, support and foster the characteristics of quality places there are flow on effects for our community.

The 'how' of urban design

Place Typology: The place qualities we appreciate rely on planning and design outcomes at a whole continuum of scale from the building, street and the neighbourhood all the way through to the city and region. We call these ‘Place Typologies’.

Place Process: urban design is about creating a vision for an area and then deploying the skills and resources to realise the vision. This is what we refer to as 'Place Creation'.

Place Roles: explores who delivers deliver the places we like and assist in understanding the process.

Place Tools: outlines the tools utilised in the process of urban design. Used effectively, they can deliver the high quality urban environment that people are increasingly demanding.

Place Links: additional information not covered in the sections of the manual.