The functions of urban design social attributes in creative placemaking: the case of Kuala Lumpur event festivals

Abstract

Purpose An increasing effort to reinforce cultural and social activities in creative placemaking is observed. Despite extensive previous studies, works of literature ignored the necessary group-specific indicators and processes in creative placemaking. In successful placemaking, the vital attributes of a place as a social platform should be identified and intensified in the initiatives taken. As such, this study aims to examine the functions of urban design social attributes in generating meaningful creative placemaking initiatives. Design/methodology/approach A survey was performed, which involved 340 visitors in the inner city of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from one case study (a strategic social event initiative called RIUH) on users’ preference toward the social attributes of place and the factors influencing preference. Field observations were carried out to understand the social activities and pattern of engagement. Findings The preference study revealed that urban design social attributes encompassed the essential inclusiveness, value, diversity and vitality of place because of high preference and a significant difference among groups. Social implications Understanding users’ preferences has emphasized the relevance of each urban design social attribute in accommodating different user opportunity groups, ultimately inducing a positive social impact in creative placemaking. Originality/value This study demonstrated the success of creative placemaking in urban development from the social dimension. It provides an understanding that the priority of creative practices should be redirected toward a more in-depth approach in addressing individuals, social capacity, involvement and well-being through the optimization of benefits and other creative placemaking values.

Creative urban place

“…Ramli and Ujang (2020, 2021) have emphasized the importance of vitality, diversity, inclusiveness (having the right conditions for everyone to be present, having the right spaces to sit, interact, relax and play), the value of place (being unique, being entrepreneurial, the existence of exhibitions related to culture, etc.) and the social and cultural participation of people in creative placemaking.…”

“…Creative activities that take place in a creative place can include creative activities of a cultural or for-profit nature, or they can include activities that produce knowledge-based products (Dudek-Mańkowska and Grochowski, 2019). Creative placemaking can create a creative place that is both a center for art galleries and museums and a lively place full of useful activities (Ramli and Ujang, 2021). In designing creative places, instead of focusing on large-scale strategies, attention should be paid to improving the quality of a place on a small scale, and things like a suitable environment for pedestrians should be considered (Durmaz, 2015).…”

“…This rapid development made it impossible to classify activities related to creative placemaking (Zitcer, 2018). Understanding the term creative placemaking is uncertain because different people have different approaches to creative placemaking (Markusen, 2013;Ramli and Ujang, 2021). The induction of the concept of creativity in societies has also been considered in theoretical and research discussions, but there is still no clear definition for it, and different authors and theorists sometimes use concepts such as creative clusters, creative places, cultural quarters and cultural districts instead of each other (Pappalepore et al, 2014).…”

“…Each person may define creative placemaking differently (Ramli and Ujang, 2020). Few studies have been performed to identify creative place indicators (Ramli and Ujang, 2021).…”

“…The research of Ramli and Ujang (2021) titled “The functions of urban design social attributes in creative placemaking: the case of Kuala Lumpur event festivals” showed that the social characteristics of urban design (such as vitality, diversity, inclusiveness and place value) can be used to advance goals related to creative placemaking. The framework of this research can also be used to study creative placemaking in other places with similar cultural and socio-economic contexts.…”