Breaking new ground in place-based urban development and architecture
Much of what is built today has a weak relation to the location where it will remain for decades. In the spring of 2024, the City of Malmö and SUSTAINORDIC launched a campaign to explore what a place-based approach to urban development and architecture means in todays world. Here, we share the insights from the 36 submitted proposals.
What does place-based urban development and architecture mean in today’s world?
Based on the proposals submitted, we have identified four key questions for place-based urban development and architecture. The proposals show that this approach contains several, and different aspects. To truly enhance what makes different places unique, we believe that the built environment must address multiple questions simultaneously.
1. Incorporate local knowledge and influence in the process
Place-based urban development and architecture is built upon the insights of people connected to the location, letting their knowledge influences the final outcome. Understanding how the space is used in daily life, its history, and its future is essential to address the specific needs of the place. Developments must not only cater to business ideas interests and general societal needs but also benefit those who live and work in the area.
Many of the submitted proposals highlight the importance of processes that include local knowledge and influence, such as user dialogue, co-creation, local collaboration, direct democracy, and small-scale local ownership. Here are some proposals emphasizing the importance of inclusive processes.
Many of the submitted proposals highlights the importance of processes that include local knowledge and influence, such as user dialogue, co-creation, local collaboration, direct democracy, and small-scale local ownership. Here are some proposals that emphasize inclusive and participatory processes.
2. Preserve and enhance what already exists at the place
Place-based urban development and architecture focuses on recognizing, preserving, and strengthening the existing qualities of a location. The characteristics and limitations of the place should shape any changes – rather than the other way around. Often, this approach involves making fewer changes. To truly understand a place, thorough mapping, analysis, and observation are required.
The submitted proposals includes examples of renovations, refined outdoor spaces, and projects that aim to make minimal changes while preserving a place’s unique qualities, history, and identity. Here are some proposals that build on what already existed in the location.
3. Design in relation to the character of the place
Place-based urban development and architecture are designed in relation to their surroundings, enhancing the built character of the location. This involves incorporating and interpreting surrounding elements such as building patterns, scale, volume management, façade composition, materials, textures, or color schemes. The goal is not to replicate the exact surroundings, but rather to find enough common ground between the new and the existing to create harmony.
Several of the submitted proposals show in different ways how contemporary changes and additions can connect to the character of a place through thoughtful design. Here are some examples.
4. Utilize locally available resources
Place-based urban development and architecture emphasize reusing and utilizing materials available nearby to reduce resource consumption, minimize climate impact, and support the local economy. Locally available materials are often naturally suited to the area’s climate and landscape, and are deeply rooted in its history and building traditions.
The submitted proposals includes examples of both reuse and “local use,” where construction materials are produced or sourced directly from the surrounding area. Here are some of them.