There’s something about a truly great public space that just feels right. It invites you in, makes you want to stay, sparks conversation, and leaves you feeling connected. But too often, our community spaces — our parks, libraries, markets, and high streets — don’t feel like that.
They feel transactional. Functional. Sometimes even lifeless.
But across the world, we’re seeing a shift. Cities, councils, and communities are reclaiming and reimagining spaces to be more than just places we pass through. They’re turning them into places we love.
1. When spaces bring people together
Some of the most exciting transformations don’t come from big budgets or flashy developments — they come from people taking ownership of a place and making it their own.
- In Mexico City, the Tianguis Markets have been running for centuries, but recently, residents have taken it upon themselves to redesign and re-energise these spaces — adding public seating, lighting, and even live music to make them feel more welcoming.
- In Seoul, the Sewoon Sangga megastructure — a relic of the city’s rapid 1970s development — was brought back to life with community-led pop-ups, workshops, and new businesses, turning a once-forgotten space into a creative hub.
- In Ghana, the Nubuke Foundation has transformed a simple outdoor gallery into a community gathering space — blurring the line between art, culture, and everyday life.
These spaces aren’t just “nice to have.” They create social connections, spark economic activity, and make communities stronger.
2. Rethinking local spaces in the UK
Closer to home, we’re seeing similar shifts. In Adur & Worthing, the councils have been experimenting with ways to turn underused spaces into places people actually want to spend time.
In Adur and Worthing, efforts are underway to breathe new life into community spaces. The proposed transformation of Montague Place into Montague Gardens aims to create a vibrant green space for everyone to enjoy. This project reflects the councils’ commitment to enhancing public spaces in collaboration with the community.
Another initiative is the development of a new community park in West Durrington. Designed with input from residents and local groups, the park will feature play areas, sports facilities, and community allotments, catering to all ages and abilities.
These projects demonstrate that revitalising community spaces doesn’t always require massive investments. Small, thoughtful interventions can make a significant difference. By involving the community in the design process, spaces become more inclusive and reflective of the people they serve.
It’s not about building more — it’s about making better use of what we already have.
3. Less consultation, more co-creation
One of the biggest shifts we need in how we design spaces is moving away from consulting people after decisions have already been made, and towards co-creating spaces with the communities who use them.
- In Japan, the Machizukuri approach encourages citizens to play an active role in city planning, meaning that public spaces are designed with local needs and traditions in mind.
- In Nairobi, the Kounkuey Design Initiative works with informal settlements to create community-led infrastructure — parks, public toilets, markets — ensuring they serve the people who need them most.
- In Bogotá, the city’s famed Ciclovía programme closes major roads to cars every Sunday, turning them into spaces for walking, cycling, and socialising — an idea that emerged directly from residents.
When people feel they’ve had a hand in shaping a space, they’re more likely to take care of it.
4. So, how do we put the love back into community spaces?
- Start by asking the right questions. Instead of “What do we need to build?”, ask “What makes people feel welcome?” and “What would make people want to stay here longer?”
- Focus on small, quick changes. Instead of waiting for multi-million-pound projects, test ideas with temporary interventions — seating, colour, greenery, events. If it works, make it permanent.
- Make it easy for communities to take the lead. Not everything needs to be council-run or government-funded. Provide mini-grants, resources, or simply permission for people to shape their own spaces.
5. A call to action: make places people love
Look around your own community. Where are the spaces that feel welcoming, alive, and connected? And where are the spaces that feel neglected, underused, or unloved?
What small interventions could bring those places back to life?
This isn’t just about urban planning or placemaking — it’s about how we create spaces where people feel they belong. And that’s something worth investing in.
