The only way any built environment professional, developer, provider or other placemaker is going to understand what a community wants is by talking to it.

There’s a word for this, but it has negative associations: consultation.

The theory behind public consultations is sound: to hear the views of people most likely to be impacted. The Local Government Association describes it as:

“Technically any activity that gives local people a voice and an opportunity to influence important decisions. It involves listening to and learning from local people before decisions are made or priorities are set.”

However, consultations now operate against a backdrop of a growing distrust of government in general terms and people’s diminishing confidence in officialdom acting in their best interests.

One issue is that in some circumstances, consultation is a legal requirement, so it feels like the powers that be are simply going through the motions. Another is how consultations are conducted. If they don't feel locally well-researched, knowledgeable or insightful, they can come across as insincere.

The first challenge, then, is for placemakers to engage with communities meaningfully. If they can meet this condition, they must then consider how they interpret this data.

Realistically, communities rarely speak with a single voice. They represent multiple viewpoints. Some of these viewpoints will clash. Placemakers must weigh up these different opinions when considering what to build and where.

Broadly, communities care about basic needs such as housing, amenities, crime and the local economy. Placemakers need to translate these from the abstract to the specific and to look beyond the basics.

People don’t only want to feel their surroundings are adequate. They want to feel something stronger, a sense of belonging. This extends beyond their front door.