What Bambi can teach us about Placemaking

People dance in the dark - darkness is a security blanket.

- Questlove

There were approximately 7,000 young-minded, fun-spirited people on the promenade on Valentine's Day. I always feel safe + well-cared for because hospitality is always on point.

While watching Questlove's masterclass, he said that darkness is the dance floor. Like, people will not dance until it's too dark to watch each other.

While it can't ever get quite that dark on the promenade (safety first!), it does provide an intimate enough environment for all three blocks to host three different DJ platforms and audiences.

I spent my Valentine's Day walking up and down the promenade for 4.5 hours, listening to multiple DJs.

Are you kidding me? That's every music lover's dream.

There was plenty of space to roam while the intimacy quandrants or linger nodes - the stage area vinguettes - in placemaking, the intimacy gradient - still held enough space to be bobbing your head and dancing closely while also providing enough space for the clausterphobic types to dance on the fringes.

There was a dance floor for everybody. Dogs. Kids. Whole families. The wheelchair people. People on bikes. All the people.

Those in town for the NBA All-Star weekend popped by for a while. Those stuck in traffic could bop their way about town, and others on dates bobbed their heads to their next location. Even though someone set MEAT on fire over on Ocean Ave. and all the fire trucks and cops were down the street, the fun seemed to continue seamlessly.

Unless the spaces in a building are arranged in a sequence which corresponds to their degree of privacy, the visits made by strangers, friends, guests, clients, and family will always be a little awkward.

It's the same reason Bambi trodded through the forest in the pattern that they did.  The forest gave Bambi structure.

In the woods, Bambi could see in layers. Trees block the view in places. The canopy makes the space feel lower. Clearings appear and disappear slowly. You can look around without everyone seeing you. You can stick to the edges or step out, choosing how much you want to be seen.

The prairie doesn't offer any of that. Everything looks the same. There are no edges or places to hide. You are completely exposed. Bambi learned to avoid the meadow. Instead, Bambi sticks to safe paths, moves along the edges, and slips between sheltered spots.

The prairie makes you feel like you have to perform.

The forest lets you join in at your own pace.

Mandy

President, Animated Minds

A Pattern Language: The Psychology of Space

Square Formation

What Bambi can teach us about Placemaking

p. 602, 610 (127) intimacy gradient

We are a creative studio based in Santa Monica.

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Public Space and Placemaking: What is CPTED?

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design

CPTED principles work hand in hand with Placemaking, which is all about creating vibrant, community-oriented spaces. 

Unless the spaces in a building are arranged in a sequence that corresponds to their degrees of privacy, the visits made by strangers, friends, guests, clients, and family will always be a little awkward.

A Pattern Language

1. Design Harmony: Placemaking and CPTED are like two peas in a pod when it comes to designing spaces. They should be best friends from the start, working together to create environments where everyone feels safe and connected.

2. Open and Welcoming Spaces: Imagine places where you can easily see what's happening around you. Placemaking encourages friendly environments where everyone feels safe.

3. Tailoring to Needs: Every place is unique, just like every person. CPTED principles can be adapted to suit the specific character and needs of a place. It's all about making it feel just right.

4. Ownership and Community Pride: Placemaking thrives on the idea that people feel a sense of belonging to their spaces. "This place belongs to us." When people take pride in their surroundings, they tend to look out for each other.

5. Guiding the Flow: Placemaking celebrates the idea that spaces should be easy to navigate. It's like creating a welcoming path for everyone. 

6. Strong Foundations: Placemaking doesn't shy away from making places secure. Adding clever security measures will help ensure everyone can relax and enjoy the space without worrying about safety.

7. Ongoing Love and Care: Placemaking insists on well-loved and well-maintained spaces. Regular clean-up and maintenance are like giving a space a big, friendly hug. A clean and well-kept area sends a clear message that it's cherished and watched over.

8. Community Connection: Placemaking is all about bringing people together. Encourage everyone to be a part of making decisions about their spaces. When a community works together, it creates a stronger sense of safety and belonging.

9. Continuous Improvement: Placemaking is a journey, not a destination. Keep checking how well our space is working and listen to what the community has to say. 

By combining Placemaking and CPTED principles, we can create friendly, vibrant spaces that look beautiful and where everyone feels safe, welcome, and connected. 

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Christopher Alexander: A Pattern Language

Christopher Alexander (1936–2022) flipped architecture on its head by asking a simple question: how do places actually feel to the people who live in them? His book A Pattern Language laid out practical design "patterns" that make spaces more human, more alive, and more healing.

Unlike the Bauhaus, which leaned toward abstraction, Alexander pushed for warmth and emotional resonance. Where Bauhaus stripped things down to pure function, Alexander rebuilt the human side, arguing that beauty and comfort aren't luxuries; they're survival tools.

That's why his work resonates today in placemaking: it's not just about buildings, it's about belonging. He understood that bad design can trigger stress, isolation, and even trauma. Good design, on the other hand, can restore a sense of safety and ease, which is essential for anyone navigating PTSD or just the chaos of daily life.

Alexander's big idea? Design should come from the people who use a space, not imposed from above. That shift continues to guide community-driven projects everywhere.

Book suggestion: 

Christopher Alexander: Pattern Language 

The Economic Power of Placemaking

Elevating Public Spaces Through Creative Direction.

The Power of Placemaking

What is Placemaking?

At its core, Placemaking is the art and science of shaping public spaces to reflect the community's identity, foster connection, and enhance the overall human experience. It's about creating environments that people not only visit but cherish and return to.

The Role of a Placemaker:

As a Placemaker, my role is to orchestrate a symphony of creativity, functionality, and community engagement. I am the visionary who brings your public space to life, turning it into a destination rather than just a location.

Why Placemaking Matters:

1. Community Building. Placemaking builds a sense of community by providing spaces that cater to diverse interests and activities, fostering a strong sense of belonging.

2. Economic Vitality: A well-designed public space attracts foot traffic, supporting local businesses and driving economic growth.

3. Cultural Expression: Placemaking celebrates local culture, history, and art, transforming public spaces into living canvases that tell the story of a community.

4. Health and Well-being: Accessible, green, and engaging spaces promote physical activity, mental well-being, and a healthier lifestyle for residents.

The End Result:

Picture a public space transcending its physical boundaries, becoming a dynamic, lively, and cherished part of the community. 

By combining Placemaking and CPTED principles, we can create friendly, vibrant spaces that look beautiful and where everyone feels safe, welcome, and connected. 

Jeremy@AnimatedMinds.org

Creative placemaking harnesses the power of arts and culture to allow for more genuine public engagement.

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REFERENCE BOOKS

Christopher Alexander: A Pattern Language

The Disney Way: Harnessing the Management Secrets of Disney in Your Company

Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect

Trauma Informed Placemaking

What do Creative Placemakers Actually Do?

“Placemaking is essential—not just for wellbeing and a sense of safety, but also as a way to counter feelings of disconnection and displacement.” Matè, Trauma-Informed Placemaking

If Placemaking is about belonging, Creative Placemaking is the sprinkle of joy.

It's providing a space where everyone feels safe enough to relax and enjoy themselves.

Being a Placemaker is like being an Ambassador of a place. It could be a city or region, or an unofficial Arts District, or simply the block you live on.

There are a few different kinds of Placemaking that include Trauma-Informed Placemaking and things such as Place Branding - which is my favorite - and typically, there are four recognized types of Placemaking, which are:

Standard

Strategic

Tactical

and Creative - those who set the tone and branding for events and cities.

The DJs, the Eleven Madison Parks, and the Weiden + Kennedy's of the bunch, if you will.

Standard Placemaking is not a sexy one, but it's the most important one: the management of space. It usually takes a group of people to pull everything off. However, to gain the best understanding of "Standard Placemaking", it is essential to understand Public Space Operations, Place Management, and other community fundamentals, including parks and open spaces, transportation, the local economy, culture, and arts.

DO YOU NEED A DEGREE IN SOMETHING? 

You don't need a degree for Standard Placemaking. Oftentimes, a place needs several "Standard Placemakers".

Strategic is long-range planning. Think Downtown Plans. This one needs a degree.

Tactical is short-term, low risk, and no cost. Anybody can do this one.

Creative Placemaking is the zuzh. It's Art, Culture + Design.

It's a monthly First Friday Block Party in your neighborhood. It's a Cinema Sunday with your neighbs. It's the choice of music that sets the tone in your establishment, at your event, or in your home.

It's the vibe for me.

Is this cool? Am I safe? Do I want to stay awhile?

It can be digital.

It can be a walkable blog scroll of art locations in your area - a super fun + free walk. It can be a silent disco pop-up. It can be you volunteering to create a newsletter or graphics for the next community event. New experiences are good for the brain (+ your community!)

We need our communities more than ever. According to  Trauma-Informed Placemaking, ARTwalks have been prescribed by physicians, and Alleyway dance pop-ups are a hit in Australia.

There is a power in communal dancing, which is why I love that DJs are considered Placemakers. You can start Placemaking right now in your own community, from the comfort of your bed, digitally.

So how do you become a placemaker? You might already be one.