Liverpool-based social enterprise PLACED leads the way with the launch of their new digital community engagement platform, where people can share ideas about places and spaces in their city.
PLACED will be launching the engagement platform with a project called Liverpool High Streets, engaging the people of Liverpool in a conversation to discover opinions and thoughts on how high streets should feel and function, the types of activities, services and spaces on offer and how they should adapt in 2020 and beyond.
High streets across the UK have been rapidly changing over recent years, with many being affected by the closure or relocation of local shops, the neglect of public spaces and the reduction of maintenance budgets.
PLACED believe that Covid-19 has brought these issues into urgent focus as people’s priorities, spending habits and desires have shifted. The project provides a digital platform for the ideas of the community to be heard, and can be found here.
Prior to the Covid-19 crisis, PLACED could often be found on high streets across Liverpool and further afield with their mobile workspace, a campervan called Ed, delivering events and pop-up shops, engaging communities to shape their towns and cities.
PLACED’s new interactive platform enables them to involve communities in discussion about their built environment, in lockdown.
It is intended to be a live platform that grows with feedback, questions and ideas, whilst communities are unable to be out and about. Visitors can share their thoughts on the ‘Ideas Wall’ and ‘Interactive Map’ – and as the conversation evolves, be a part of Zoom workshops and events.
The decision to launch the platform came in response to the mass of ideas and opinions received from the public during PLACED’s recent #socialplacestogether campaign, delivered via social media.
It is also a response to the difficulties PLACED were facing in engaging with stakeholders on projects for their clients, including local authorities, housing associations and developers.
The Liverpool High Streets project centres around five themes; environment and public space, economy and skills, resilient community, housing and transport and connectivity.
These themes allow PLACED to form a focus for the conversation, but ideas and opinions outside of these categories are encouraged. Initially the project is focused on Liverpool high streets only but invites those from outside of the city to get involved and share their thoughts on their own high street.
Liverpool High Streets is live NOW. To find and more and get involved see here.