Successful placemaking is about more than physical structures; it’s about building connections, telling stories, and shaping experiences.
In the November 2024 Place Leaders Asia Pacific Community of Practice, we explored award-winning ‘Place-Led Activation’ projects that showed how thoughtful placemaking can activate communities, increase economic activity, and promote sustainability.
The Whitlam Display Village in Canberra and the Darwin International Laksa Festival in the Northern Territory offer powerful lessons on achieving this transformation by aligning place-led strategies with local identity and practical needs.
Here’s information about the projects and then actionable insights for your future projects.
Place-Led Engagement from Concept to Connection
The Whitlam Display Village is a people-first space in a greenfield suburb. The ACT Suburban Land Agency invested $8 million to create a hub that would provide early social infrastructure. Since it opened in November 2022, the village has welcomed over 5,400 visitors and hosted more than 160 community events, including gardening workshops, live music, and cultural activities. Its climate-wise gardens, sustainable housing, and social enterprise café demonstrate innovation and offer a vital link for early community connection.
Where Community Comes to Life! Whitlam Display Village - climate-wise gardens, creative spaces, and connections
The Darwin International Laksa Festival leveraged the city's love for food to create a cultural and economic phenomenon. Delivered by Activate Darwin, the Festival showcases diverse laksa dishes, encourages local spending, and promotes Darwin as Australia’s 'laksa capital'. Since it began in 2019, it has grown to 90 businesses offering 120 laksa-inspired dishes in 2023. The festival turns Darwin into a bustling hub of culinary and cultural exploration. Its Laksa League app gamifies participation, encouraging attendees to explore venues, try dishes (and earn 'bonus bowls'!), and get more involved in the event. These efforts have led to a media reach of $2.2 million and an Advertising Sales Revenue (ASR) of AUD $653.6 million in 2023.
Spice, Smiles, and Community at the Darwin International Laksa Festival - where every bowl tells a story!
Key Metrics
Whitlam Display Village
Over 5,400 visitors in its first year.
More than 160 events ranging from community gardening to cultural workshops.
99 activations hosted by the Place Curator, attracting 2,200 attendees.
A social enterprise café providing jobs for vulnerable residents.
Partnerships with 26 local artists and creatives to bring public spaces to life.
Darwin International Laksa Festival
90 participating businesses showcasing 120 unique dishes in 2023.
A ‘Laksa League’ app that engages users through game-like exploration, increasing venue visits.
Increased foot traffic during a usually slow time for hospitality businesses.
Media reach of $2.2 million, drawing international attention to Darwin.
Practical Lessons for Place-Makers
1.Prioritise Community Identity
Both projects show the importance of community-driven design. Whitlam involved residents in creating its Place Plan. The Laksa Festival built on Darwin's Asia-Pacific connection.
Takeaway: Engage with residents and local knowledge holders to ensure spaces reflect community values and aspirations. Co-create with your community. Reflect their values and stories to encourage ownership and pride.
Example: For Whitlam, engaging local artists and using creative activations built community connection and ‘pride in place’. The paste-up art project at the Bus Depot Market and the involvement of school children in community art projects showed how creativity can bring diverse groups together.
2. Activate Early and Keep Momentum
Early infrastructure like Whitlam's café and community hub brought immediate benefits as residents move into the suburb. The Laksa Festival was strategically launched during Darwin's slow hospitality season, adding energy and economic stimulus to the city.
Takeaway: Don't wait for perfection. Early activation lays a foundation for long-term engagement.
3. Sustainability Builds Long-Term Impact
Whitlam's climate-wise gardens and sustainable housing show that green practices can attract the community. The Laksa League app demonstrates how digital tools can encourage strong engagement.
Takeaway: Sustainability isn't just ethical - it's practical. Design green initiatives that also enhance user experience.
4. Collaborate Broadly and Creatively
Whitlam involved Ngunnawal Elders, libraries, and local artists. The Laksa Festival partnered with Hospitality NT and the Darwin Waterfront Corporation. These collaborations expanded the scope and impact of both projects.
Takeaway: Collaborations unlock potential. Engage diverse stakeholders to expand the scope and reach of your projects.
Examples: The Laksa Festival shows how important it is to involve local businesses and find sponsors. Offering sponsors the right benefits and working closely with groups like Hospitality NT and local councils helped keep everyone engaged and supportive. For Whitlam, engaging younger demographics through partnerships with high schools, universities, and youth councils, and testing ideas with youth drove higher levels of engagement.
5. Build-in Social and Economic ‘Ripple Effects’
Whitlam has improved social cohesion, with neighbours connecting through gardening workshops and shared spaces like the Mingle Community Hub. The Laksa Festival is also a powerful local economic catalyst.
Takeaway: Align community, social and economic goals. Placemaking can be both socially enriching and financially beneficial.
6. Technology as a Tool
The ‘Laksa League’ app gamified participation, turning exploration into an engaging game. It also gathered valuable data for organisers.
Takeaway: Embrace technology. Use digital tools to enhance participation and collect actionable insights.
Practical Tips for Future Projects
Use Multilayered Programming
Whitlam combined hardware (infrastructure), orgware (dedicated teams), and software (events and activations) to create a well-rounded approach that drove success.
Measure and Adjust
The Laksa Festival improved each year by using feedback and data to refine its program. Regular evaluation ensures projects remain effective and relevant.
Celebrate Local Identity
Identify and celebrate what makes your community special. For Darwin, it was the love of food and regional connection; for Whitlam, it was sustainability. Build on what’s already there to create an authentic and resonant experience for the participating community.
Increase Impact Through Media
Strategic media and social media engagement enhances visibility of place-led engagement.
Final Thoughts
The Whitlam Display Village and Darwin International Laksa Festival illustrate how placemaking can turn spaces into communities. These projects show the value of creating places where people share stories, cultures can thrive, and human connections can be made. By focusing on local identity, sustainability, and community engagement, place-makers can deliver long-lasting benefits.
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