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

<strong>the</strong> change <strong>of</strong> use <strong>of</strong> that place, however <strong>the</strong>y are limited in providing a sustaining change to
<strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> place after <strong>the</strong>ir conclusion unless if <strong>the</strong> aim <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> intervention is to change <strong>the</strong>
place itself in an enduring way.
The VIVID festival itself is also unique in <strong>the</strong> sense that it is on a grand scale in terms <strong>of</strong> creative
placemaking, and this has implications in ano<strong>the</strong>r sense in terms <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> place. The
festival started in 2009, and has grown substantially every year. This shows that <strong>the</strong> success
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> change <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> space, and <strong>the</strong> increase in <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> people using that space,
through temporary interventions has consequently changed <strong>the</strong> use in a sustained manner
for Sydney, as now due to <strong>the</strong> events popularity it continues to grow and shape how <strong>the</strong> city is
experienced every year. This means <strong>the</strong>re is a greater platform for enduring changes <strong>of</strong> place
to occur, and that <strong>the</strong>re will be an increase in <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> underutilised public places in Sydney
which can bring attention to <strong>the</strong>ir significance.
Additionally, as noted in <strong>the</strong> first aim, <strong>the</strong> experience <strong>of</strong> place during <strong>the</strong> time <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> temporary
place-based interventions activity became one more conducive to intimacy, sociability and
cultural prosperity. These factors were short term immediate results reliant on <strong>the</strong> physical
change to <strong>the</strong> place itself through <strong>the</strong> intervention. Just as Jacobs (1961) found <strong>the</strong> experience
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> everyday American city was changing due to <strong>the</strong> shift in how <strong>the</strong>y are planned, <strong>the</strong>
experience <strong>of</strong> an underutilised space, such as <strong>the</strong> one considered for this study, primarily
shifted in its use due to <strong>the</strong> physical changes that occurred. Yet, as also observed in <strong>the</strong>
study and by o<strong>the</strong>r researchers <strong>the</strong>re is potential for <strong>the</strong> increased use <strong>of</strong> space to ‘linger’,
and potentially result in a progression from something which is purely a change in use and
attraction to one which is <strong>of</strong> attachment (Smaldone 2006). It may not necessarily maintain a
physical experience <strong>of</strong> place as observed by this study, but it can imbue a lasting memory <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong> experience <strong>of</strong> that place which can ‘linger’ when re-established with that place (Stewart).
AIM 3 DISCUSSION
3 To understand if creative placemaking interventions could be used to ignite place
attachment in underutilised public places
As discussed in <strong>the</strong> previous two aims, <strong>the</strong> experience <strong>of</strong> place can be prominently influenced
by <strong>the</strong> introduction <strong>of</strong> ‘visual catalysts’. The way <strong>the</strong>se temporary place-based interventions
impact <strong>the</strong> experience <strong>of</strong> place has a transformative effect on a person’s immediate
experience <strong>of</strong> place, as well as <strong>the</strong> potential to imbue a ‘lingering’ experience <strong>of</strong> a place.
Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, <strong>the</strong>se temporary place-based interventions also have <strong>the</strong> ability to promote
greater place attachment, as many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> factors that influence placemaking can also be
attributed to this concept (Hidalgo & Hernandez 2001). These factors include <strong>the</strong> ability to
positively reframe an existing relationship with place, <strong>the</strong> cultivation <strong>of</strong> memories, <strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong>
time and temporality in progressing attachment, and <strong>the</strong> ability for personal investment in <strong>the</strong>
establishment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> intervention for, and on, <strong>the</strong> place. However, as observed in this study
and in <strong>the</strong> literature, ‘visual catalysts’ are not likely to be <strong>the</strong> main reason behind someone
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