1. PLACE MATTERSDowntown Atlantic Canada (DAC)Annual General Meeting and ConferenceOCTOBER 10 | 2012

2. A. Introduction to Place MattersB. Thoughts on Urban DesignC. Place Branding and Design 3. A. Introduction to Place MattersPLACE MATTERS | 4. The Modern Community: Key Needs Educated people New ideas that become commercial realities Link to global marketplace Multi-modal transportation infrastructure Community distinctiveness (PLACE MATTERS) PLACE MATTERS | 5. Place matters principles: Community appeal drives economic prosperity Change and the maintenance of character and identitynot mutually exclusive Progress does not have to equal ugliness Community can grow without destroying what we lovePLACE MATTERS | 6. Place matters research:KNIGHT FOUNDATION (2011)Surveyed 46,000 people in 26 cities in U.S.Determined: WHY PEOPLE LOVE WHERE THEY LIVE. WHAT ATTRACTS AND KEEPS PEOPLE.PLACE MATTERS | 7. Place matters findings:THREE KEY NEEDS1. SOCIAL OFFERINGS - opportunities for social interaction2. AESTHETICS - natural and created beauty of a place.3. PERCEIVED OPENNESS TO EVERYONE - the sense of welcomeness to a broad range of demographics in the community.PLACE MATTERS | 8. PLACE MATTERS: Economic BenefitsHighest level of attachment = highest rate of GDP andstronger economics.The studys empirically based data linked quality of lifeplace wellness to GDP, or economic performance.PLACE MATTERS | 9. PLACE MATTERS DEFINED:Unique qualities and characteristics - visual,cultural, social, environmental.Distinguishes communities, makes our physicalsurroundings worth caring about. PLACE MATTERS | 10. PLACE MATTERS so we should, Focus on our identity to add economic and social value. Create distinct uplifting and memorable environments. Foster belonging and stewardship by residents. Look beyond density to values, customs, othercharacteristics that make place matter. Note that losing community distinctiveness has socialand economic consequences. PLACE MATTERS | 11. B. Thoughts on Urban DesignPLACE MATTERS | 12. PLACE DIFFERENTIATION = COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE.PLACE MATTERS | 13. ROLE OF URBAN PLANNING:to minimize peoples distress whilemaximizing interactions PLACE MATTERS | 14. Best first steps to Successful Urban Planning:1. Identify, map and protect those assets that support community distinctiveness.2. Build and maintain an integrated system of parks, trails and urban spaces (squares, streets, etc.)3. Put an Open Space Management Plan in place to protect the resource.PLACE MATTERS | 15. Benefits of Parks, Trails and Urban Spaces: Strengthens place brand Appreciating asset Supports population growth Encourages housing starts Promotes new business start-ups Creates increased density Enhances local municipal tax base Protects environment and finite resources Encourages social interaction Creates beauty PLACE MATTERS | 16. Urban Research Findings (Geoffrey West): 1. When people come together they are more likelyto exchange ideas and are more productive. 2. As the City grows things accelerate, becoming moreproductive and more innovative. 3. Well designed urban spaces support randomencounters and idea generation. 4. Each City has local deviations that speak tocommunity distinctiveness. PLACE MATTERS | 17. Make designs that are intimate. Encourage interaction. Human centered design. PLACE MATTERS | 18. Local Deviations:1. Deviations exist over time, they are not random or a fluke.2. City deviations reveal hidden correlations of urban life.3. Identifying these local deviations can influence urban design and create distinct authentic places. PLACE MATTERS | 19. Considering Local Deviations:What makes St. Johns different thanHalifax or Moncton? PLACE MATTERS | 20. Urban Design and Unlocking the Deviations:1. Community engagement identify key needs and perspectives on distinctiveness.2. Your Downtown as a distinct differentiated place specifically define.3. Downtown Vision informed by 1 and 2. PLACE MATTERS | 21. C. Place Branding| Vision, Brand, Plan, Place and Promotion | PLACE MATTERS | 22. Vision: Downtown Needs Prespectives on DistinctivenessPLACE MATTERS | 23. PromisePLACE MATTERS | 24. Plan Identify the distinct attributes Form a story / narrative around those attributes that resonates Identify targets for story telling (who are you talking to?)PLACE MATTERS | 25. Place Place equals experience. Good urban design supportsthe experience. PLACE MATTERS | 26. PromotionStrategy to disperse your story. Identify communication elementsand vehicles that best tell that story of distinctiveness. PLACE MATTERS | 27. A Recap:1. Place Matters: increases GDP and impacts business relocation. Builds on distinctiveness.2. Trails and Parks System and Open Space Management Plan key to success.3. Urban Design considerations: intimate, interactive, beautiful and fun.4. Place distinctiveness differentiates and informs Place Branding and Design. PLACE MATTERS | 28. PLACE MATTERSDowntown Atlantic Canada (DAC)Annual General Meeting and ConferenceOCTOBER 10 | 2012