Placemaking inspires people to collectively reimagine a public place as the heart of the community to live, work and play in. Within this minor, the multidisciplinary team inspires you to become involved in placemaking for the future. 

You will learn how to improve and shape a location by means of interventions, either physical or digital ones. This may range from communal gardens, art murals, community libraries or pop-up events with the aim to improve a neighbourhood, city, or region. 

These interventions can benefit various stakeholders - for example by enhancing the wellbeing of local residents, increasing visitor satisfaction, attracting (international) talents, and contributing to the environmental sustainability of a destination. The central point is always the local community: any intervention needs to be designed starting from the locals, and having them as an expert.  

In this minor, you will tap and develop your creative talents, learn to observe, to listen and not to judge, and to emphatise. You will be asked to be visionary. 

More information:

Language of instruction

Only English. Classes are face-to-face (not hybrid).

Admission requirements

Admission requirements for BUas students:

• This minor is open to third- and fourth-year students from all academies, and we aim for an interdisciplinary mix of different backgrounds. It is run jointly with the Urban Life & Placemaking specialisation programme from the Academy of Leisure & Events. Students interested in this specialisation are also welcome to join the programme.
• Propaedeutic certificate obtained

Admission requirements for external students:

• This minor is open to students from Tourism & Leisure Management programmes, as well as to students from Urban Design, Architecture, Social Sciences, and Anthropology programmes.
• Propaedeutic certificate obtained 

Learning outcomes & competencies

• Gaining a basic understanding of the concepts of placemaking and shaping destinations
• Being able to apply methods, concepts and principles to analyse public spaces as an urban designer
• Reflecting on what constitutes a community and how it can be actively and directly involved in the placemaking process
• Studying the current situation and considering the powers, interests, networks, relationships and support base of stakeholders concerning complex challenges
• Developing a creative experience concept and working it out as a product or service
• Providing basic advice to destination-based stakeholders on how to optimise the community experience
• Understanding the rationale behind interventions (whether designed or arts-based) and how they are used
• Being able to apply research methods, concepts and principles to analyse public spaces as a designer (e.g. mapping the functional and social use of public spaces, stakeholder analysis and stakeholder engagement)

Topics and structure of the minor

The overall goal of this minor is for students to acquire an understanding of how to deal with and respond to socio-economic and environmental challenges in placemaking, designing interventions that create ‘better places’ in collaboration with the local community. This multidisciplinary approach covers the following topics:

• Design Thinking
• Narrative design, place branding and storytelling
• Stakeholder analysis, stakeholder and community engagement
• Comparative case studies
• Mapping the functional and social use of public spaces
• Interventions, prototype development and testing

Teaching & assessment

Teaching involves a variety of methods, including: 

• Workshops
• Guest lectures from industry and academia
• Flipped classroom
• Self-guided learning

All of these activities are intended to take place in class.

A variety of group and individual assessments will be used, including poster presentations, reflection reports and individual portfolios.

We often collaborate with external commissioners and incorporate their expertise into the assessment process. You will receive coaching and advice from BUas lecturers and external professionals in the field.

Required study material

Study materials and recommended readings will be provided in class. Although we do not work with a specific book, we do require students to make use of the library, databases and online material. As part of this minor, there will be a field trip to an international destination in Europe, which is a form of experiential learning. An alternative case study in the Netherlands is always available for students who are unable to join the trip abroad.

Additional costs

There are costs involved in the field trip abroad, including travel, accommodation and on-site activities.

Minor coordinator

Licia Calvi: [email protected]