This project explored what sustainable development means using placemaking. Placemaking engages with how connections are formed in relation to physical spaces, a sense of place, and the associated interventions for such places in local policy and development decisions.
Engaging local residents and organisations across Leeds, Joanne Hawkins gained insight into the spaces across Leeds that matter to residents. The findings were used to produce a publicly accessible briefing, and an interactive map showcasing highlighted spaces and why they matter, helping Leeds City Council and others shape local cultural and spatial policy.
This project was funded through the 2022–2023 Research England Policy Support Fund and responded to Leeds City Council’s 2022 Area of Research Interest (Word document download) ‘Culture’, specifically ‘Measuring cultural impact meaningfully’ and ‘Culture and Local Democracy Making’.