Lessons from Rotterdam
We are delighted to have supported Place Collective UK at the recent Placemaking Europe Conference in Rotterdam. The event brought together passionate place makers from across Europe to explore how community-driven networks can create more inclusive, vibrant public spaces.
Place Collective UK led inspiring discussions on how to better engage communities in place-based networks, drawing insights from participants in Norway, Turkey, Switzerland, Italy, Malta, France, Germany, Sweden, Bulgaria, and more. The conversation covered everything from governance to participation, offering valuable lessons for building and growing successful networks.
Here are our key takeaways from the discussion:
Governance: Empower Through Decentralisation
Minimise central control: Limit governance to empower members. The network should serve as a platform where anyone can take the lead in organising activities, field trips, or events.
Keep it simple: Avoid complex legal structures, manifestos, or overly formal terms. These can bog the group down in debates, diverting attention from the real work of getting out and engaging with places.
Steering group: A steering group can help keep the group organised and act as community ambassadors, but overall power and control should remain decentralized.
Communications: Keep It Consistent and Inclusive
Drop the term 'making': The word 'making' can feel exclusive to those who don't see themselves as having the right skills or qualifications. Use 'place' instead—it's inclusive and encourages broader participation.
Regularity is key: Be consistent in your communications. For example, hosting field trips every other month and sending out a monthly newsletter will help keep people engaged and know they can reply on you
Prioritise face-to-face interactions: While digital tools are useful, place-based discussions are much more effective in person, save the rich conversations for field trips and in-person gatherings.
Membership and Participation: Variety is Vital
Curate diversity: Ensure your trips and events include a mix of sectors, seniority, disciplines, and life experiences. Variety is the spice of life and if you can hear from a range of different perspectives on a trip this will provide people with insight and points of discussion outside of their usual frame of reference.
Money: Keep It Free
Don’t seek funding: While it may be difficult, keeping the network free ensures it stays accessible to all and free from external control. People are often willing to contribute their time and expertise when they see the value in networking, knowledge sharing, and potential business opportunities.
Shared responsibility: By sharing the load across members, the group remains sustainable without the need for external financial backing.
Managing Memberships: Address Issues Early
Resolve conflicts directly: If any issues arise within the group, engage folks early in 1-2-1s (take it off WhatsApp!). Understanding different perspectives and giving individuals ownership over their contributions can help defuse tensions.
Empower members: Give members the reins to lead on activities they care about. The network thrives when people feel they have the freedom to act on their ideas.
Final Takeaway: Make It Fun!
Above all else, make it fun! Host a trip with interesting people, showing interesting perspectives, have a drink with people afterwards to keep the discussion going. Make sure the trips are varied, dynamic and cover different topics. Making it fun grows the network and creates a welcoming and joyful experience that people will want to return to.
Place Collective UK is free to join, offering trips, activities and events on a regular basis. Paul Augarde from Augarde and Partners is a founder member. We proudly support the group and welcome everyone who has found this post intriguing to join.