A Study on Elements of "Place-ing" in Street Space

Workshop-Based Observations from Fureai Street in Kitakata

抄録

This study aimed to operationalize "place-ing"—the routine interactions through which streets transition from functional corridors to meaningful places—and to construct a model for identifying where, why, and how place-ing occurs. Based on Montgomery’s form–image–activity triad and phenomenological scholarship, the concept of place-ing was defined and empirically tested in a resident-led workshop in the heritage-rich town of Kitakata. Participants mapped 74 locations, categorizing them as existing places or future place-potentials. Analysis revealed four core elements of place-ing: Comfort (pedestrian-friendly design and amenities), Sociability & Vibrancy (social gatherings and commercial clusters), History & Culture (heritage assets and culturally rooted activities), and Everydayness & Memories (personal routines and local narratives). Notably, Everydayness & Memories, often overlooked in community-led placemaking, foster deeper intimacy and attachment, suggesting their significance in future street-based initiatives. Assessing locations identified as place-potentials highlighted five additional drivers: Physical Capacity & Condition, Heritage & Identity, Connectivity & Integration, Governance & Initiative, and Social Demand & Opportunity. Their integration into the model underscores the necessity of combining supportive physical environments, vibrant activities, enhanced connectivity, proactive governance, and responsiveness to community aspirations. The enhanced place-ing model thus provides planners with a comprehensive framework for identifying existing strengths and guiding targeted interventions.