Understanding place and public policy
Understanding place and public policy
This chapter argues that place should play a much more prominent role in policy making. The meaning of place is considered and five reasons for paying more attention to place are outlined: 1) Place-based identity, 2) The environment, local loyalty and the quality of life, 3) Enhancing governmental effectiveness, 4) Places as building blocks for local democracy, and 5) The need to combat place-less power. Three themes relating to place in modern public policy are then discussed. Place marketing is criticised because it can distort public spending in ways that work against the creation of the inclusive city. Place making and place shaping are, on the other hand, key areas where civic leaders can take steps to create more inclusive cities. The first Innovation Story in the book, describing the creation of the High Line, a remarkable ‘public park in the sky’, in New York City, is presented. The troubling growth of gated communities in cities, meaning privatised zones in cities that exclude people, is analysed.
Keywords: gated communities, High Line Park, identity, New York City, place in public policy, place making, place marketing, place shaping
Policy Press Scholarship Online requires a subscription or purchase to access the full text of books within the service. Public users can however freely search the site and view the abstracts and keywords for each book and chapter.
Please, subscribe or login to access full text content.
If you think you should have access to this title, please contact your librarian.
To troubleshoot, please check our FAQs, and if you can't find the answer there, please contact us.
