Infrastructuring Place: A Case Study of Citizen-Led Placemaking Practices in Two Urban Gardening Projects

Abstract

A proliferation of citizen-led placemaking practices, characterised by peer-to-peer production, collective intelligence and participatory design, has challenged expert-led development practices, and encouraged alternative forms of urban governance and land use. From large-scale projects to temporary urban interventions, citizens are exploring new ways of working together to reshape their communities and make place. This study builds on emerging concepts in participatory design by answering the question, How do two urban gardening groups make place? Through sketch mapping, focus group interviews and document analysis, this study combines two research traditions in an interdisciplinary analysis of the material practices and social impact of commons-based approaches to placemaking. It emphasises the important role that citizens play in creating, designing and maintaining the commons, and demonstrates that individuals working outside a professional urban design context can (and do) innovate to create meaningful community places, by advancing open and decentralised forms of participation, production and knowledge. This has been an incredible journey, one that I would not have been able to complete without the help and support of a number of people. First and foremost, I would like to thank my family, my partner Joanne Lehrer and our children Ariella Frangos-Lehrer and Noah Frangos-Lehrer, whose patience, love and understanding allowed me to overcome difficulties along the way. I would like to acknowledge my supervisors, Professors Thomas Garvey and Irena Knezevic, for their unwavering support, patience and tireless efforts in helping me see this study to completion, especially during the final, critical moments. I appreciate the lengthy (and sometimes late night) phone calls, meetings, as well as verbal and written feedback that guided me along my path, and challenged me when I needed to be challenged. In addition, I would like to thank my partner, Joanne, for her detailed feedback, comments and edits. I would also like to thank Valerie Daly, who provided unparalleled administrative support, encouragement, advice and motivation; Professors Lorenzo Imbesi and Paul Thibaudeau for their support during the early stages of this research; and the graduate students in my cohort for their encouragement and emotional support: (in alphabetical order) Daniel Bianchi,