Architects must recognise the power of social media in creating a sense of place

Trevor Morriss

The creation of ‘Instagrammable’ locations can play an important part in helping to revive struggling places, writes Trevor Morriss

Places that are both popular and ‘sticky’ share similar characteristics. Cultural heritage is sensitively incorporated; the mix of occupiers by size and sector is finely balanced and an anchor exists, supported by entertainment, to draw in footfall. And most important of all, community – the ingredient that keeps this whole layer cake together – thrives through the integration of public space.

An often-overlooked element of this recipe is that successful regeneration must also be ‘Instagrammable’. This is different from ‘experiential’. Placemakers delivering for future generations must be aware, in the way that retailers already are, that something as simple as the lack of a good photo opportunity might diminish the success of an otherwise well-crafted scheme.

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