Tapping this information at the beginning of the process will help to create a sense of community ownership in the project that can be of great benefit to both the project sponsor and the community. Create a Place, Not a Design. The goal is to create a place that has both a strong sense of community and a comfortable image, as well as a setting and activities and uses that collectively add up to something more than the sum of its often simple parts. This is easy to say, but difficult to accomplish. Look for Partners.
Partners are critical to the future success and image of a public space improvement project.
Whether you want partners at the beginning to plan for the project or you want to brainstorm and develop scenarios with a dozen partners who might participate in the future, they are invaluable in providing support and getting a project off the ground. They can be local institutions, museums, schools and others. You Can See a Lot Just By Observing. We can all learn a great deal from others' successes and failures. Through these observations, it will be clear what kinds of activities are missing and what might be incorporated.