Over the past century we have seen many theoretical ideas and design concepts employed by planners, designers, politicians and others to create places that would fulfil a variety of aesthetic, socio-political and economic needs. Cities such as Prague, Bologna and Barcelona all demonstrate a great sense of achievement of the many different actors who have contributed to both incremental and radical urban transformation processes that have produced distinct urban landscapes. These cities display a rich diversity of morphological patterns, building types and patterns of use accommodating a variety of lifestyles and a rich cultural mix, still valued and celebrated by their many users today. Equally damaging have been recent development trends around the world whereby similar built form patterns are produced as a result of globalisation processes.
Many critics argue that such processes are contributing to the loss of place identities.
In response to these problems, we are witnessing the emergence of many innovative practices whereby local community groups, planning and design professionals, politicians, artists and others have engaged to work 'collaboratively'. There is a gradual emergence of a new kind of 'art of building cities' where living in the city means having a civic responsibility and determination to redefine and construct new 'place identities'. The cases of La Candelaria in Bogota, La Alameda in Mexico City and the Central Area of Boston all demonstrate new methods of creating place identities through 'collaborative partnerships'. Such practices, many argue, are important new ways of shaping and re-shaping cities for the 21st century. Bogota La Candelaria, Bogota, where lifesize bronze sculptures, such as the one at first floor level, have been added to interpret local history and events.