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

DISCUSSION
This chapter contains <strong>the</strong> discussion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> three aims. Each aim is addressed separately and
discussed in relation to <strong>the</strong> literature and findings <strong>of</strong> this study.
AIM 1 DISCUSSION
1 To understand if creative placemaking interventions, such as ‘visual catalysts’, make
places more attractive to people and increases <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> underutilised public places
As presented in <strong>the</strong> findings, it is apparent that ‘visual catalysts’ can have a pr<strong>of</strong>ound influence
on a person’s attraction and use <strong>of</strong> place; particularly for underutilised public places . Similar
to <strong>the</strong> nature <strong>of</strong> creative placemaking as described by Moran et al. (2014), ‘visual catalysts’
can fundamentally change <strong>the</strong> physical and social experience <strong>of</strong> a place in a transformative
manner. In a social context, <strong>the</strong>y can transform <strong>the</strong> amount and behaviours <strong>of</strong> people. In a
physical context, <strong>the</strong>y can transform <strong>the</strong> function, narrative and hierarchy <strong>of</strong> a place. In this
study, <strong>the</strong>se transformations have meant <strong>the</strong> experience <strong>of</strong> place has shifted from one being
<strong>of</strong> a transitional, outward looking space to one conducive <strong>of</strong> a more intimate, sociable and
culturally prosperous experience <strong>of</strong> place. However, <strong>the</strong> extent and nature <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ability for
‘visual catalysts’ to transform <strong>the</strong> experience <strong>of</strong> place should be understood as being variable;
as this form <strong>of</strong> temporary place-based intervention is diverse in intent and performance.
PHYSICAL: FUNCTION, NARRATIVE & HIERARCHY OF PLACE
‘Visual catalysts’ can influence <strong>the</strong> attraction and use <strong>of</strong> a place through redefining <strong>the</strong> function
and narrative to centre on two <strong>the</strong>mes – to observe and engage with place and ideas (Lydon &
Garcia 2015). In <strong>the</strong> case <strong>of</strong> this study, <strong>the</strong> function and narrative <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> interventions aligned
with <strong>the</strong>se two <strong>the</strong>mes – it changed <strong>the</strong> place from one <strong>of</strong> an outward looking, expansive
spatial experience to one <strong>of</strong> intimacy, immediacy and inward attraction centred on <strong>the</strong> activity
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ‘visual catalysts’. It is also likely that due to <strong>the</strong> reputation and sheer scale <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> VIVID
festival that this notion is heightened in intensity and scale.
Whyte (1980) observes this simple rule – where <strong>the</strong>re are places to sit, people will sit. Similarly,
in <strong>the</strong> findings <strong>of</strong> this study – where <strong>the</strong>re are places to engage, people will engage. ‘Visual
catalysts’ provide an opportunity through <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> graphic appeal, illumination and artistic
manifestations to achieve this. Through this, <strong>the</strong> function <strong>of</strong> place, as found in this study,
becomes much more central to <strong>the</strong> user – <strong>the</strong> experience <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> person becomes one <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong> defining factors <strong>of</strong> that place (Wyck<strong>of</strong>f 2015). As a result, this transforms <strong>the</strong> experience
<strong>of</strong> place through humanising it; a transformation which is exacerbated in underutilised and
inhospitable places such as <strong>the</strong> one observed in this study (Desimini 2015).
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