Shaping better places together: Research into facilitating participatory placemaking

The publication of this report marks what we believe is the first serious attempt to examine the role of facilitation in participatory community design processes. The topic is a highly relevant subject, given the increasing application of participatory and community design-led events in Scotland and elsewhere, alongside the use of engagement tools such as the Place Standard.

This research provides an insightful guide, identifying the many components and variants involved. Our aim is that the findings should help our understanding, and ultimately enhance the performance and effectiveness of charrettes and similar participatory design-led processes. The research should provide knowledge confidence for professional facilitators, local authorities, local communities and the development industry who may be active in collaborative processes, underpinning the investment in skills and expertise of appropriate facilitators.