Exploring the Role of 'Visual Catalysts' on Influencing People's Attraction and Use of Place

ABSTRACT
Acts <strong>of</strong> creative placemaking animate our public spaces more than ever before. There are
more spaces that flicker with light shows, buzz with community workshops, and provoke with
transient cultural murals. There has been a significant growth in <strong>the</strong> number and scope <strong>of</strong>
this phenomenon, as <strong>the</strong>y are thought to enhance <strong>the</strong> attraction and use <strong>of</strong> underutilised
public places. Yet, <strong>the</strong>re has been limited research into whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>se temporary placebased
interventions can actually enhance <strong>the</strong> attraction and use <strong>of</strong> place (Arlt 2006). This is
a significant gap in knowledge as <strong>the</strong> movement is underpinned by <strong>the</strong> assertion that it can
‘shape <strong>the</strong> social and physical character <strong>of</strong> a place around arts and cultural assets’ with <strong>the</strong>
positive outcomes <strong>of</strong> greater vibrancy and livability (Nicodemus 2013).
The purpose <strong>of</strong> this study is <strong>the</strong>refore to identify <strong>the</strong> ability for ‘visual catalysts’, being a form
<strong>of</strong> creative placemaking, to influence <strong>the</strong> attraction and use <strong>of</strong> place. Supplementary aims <strong>of</strong>
this are to seek understanding into if <strong>the</strong> attraction and use <strong>of</strong> place is altered, what attributes
are altered and does this remain altered, and to understand whe<strong>the</strong>r ‘visual catalysts’ can
potentially promote a greater attachment to place as a consequential result.
Based on <strong>the</strong> literature and <strong>the</strong> findings <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> place-centred behaviour mapping <strong>of</strong> two case
studies part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> VIVID 2016 festival in Sydney, ‘visual catalysts’ can, and do, have influence
over <strong>the</strong> attraction and use <strong>of</strong> place. So much so <strong>the</strong>y can fundamentally transform <strong>the</strong>
place both physically and socially. Physically, <strong>the</strong> enhanced attraction and use can transform
<strong>the</strong> function, narrative and hierarchy <strong>of</strong> a place. Socially, it is enhanced by <strong>the</strong> interventions
influencing <strong>the</strong> amount and behaviours <strong>of</strong> people in a place. ‘Visual catalysts’ however have
limited ability to provide an enduring, altered use <strong>of</strong> place after <strong>the</strong>y have been removed, yet
<strong>the</strong>y can act as a catalyst for future long term changes <strong>of</strong> a place. ‘Visual catalysts’ also have
<strong>the</strong> potential to promote greater place attachment, as many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> factors that enhance <strong>the</strong>
attraction and use <strong>of</strong> place can promote, or be building blocks, for place attachment. However,
it is vital to understand that creative placemaking is a diverse phenomenon, and that some
forms <strong>of</strong> ‘visual catalysts’ will influence <strong>the</strong> ‘success’ <strong>of</strong> place more dramatically than o<strong>the</strong>rs.
This <strong>the</strong>sis, as a result, aims to shed light on <strong>the</strong> ability for ‘visual catalysts’ to influence <strong>the</strong>
attraction and use <strong>of</strong> place, and provide insight for fur<strong>the</strong>r discussion and research into
how this form <strong>of</strong> temporary place-based intervention can fur<strong>the</strong>r an engaging, and positive
relationship with our public places.
ETHICS APPROVAL
This research project contains <strong>the</strong> study <strong>of</strong> human behaviour. Approval for this type
<strong>of</strong> research was granted by <strong>the</strong> Human Research Ethics Advisory (HREA) Panel E: Built
Environment (number HC16331).
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