Site Level Placemaking for exterior lots, blocks, etc. is probably the most commonly discussed and attempted form of Placemaking. As is typical of Placemaking, the spaces addressed here are spaces that have public access. Not so typically, both commercial and noncommercial spaces will be covered.

To refresh, Placemaking includes action that preserves and tells stories, reflects values, supports experiences, personalizes or enables temporary and sustainable change, increases mindfulness, or makes the space more legible and memorable. Site Level Placemaking could thus involve preserving and telling the story of a site such as a pocket park or alleyway or of the buildings and businesses that frame the site. Site Level art can tell an old story in a unique and creative way or introduce a new story and contribute to meaning. Placemaking action could reflect the values of expected visitors to the site through the choice of landscaping materials or through the choice of site programming. Site programming should also strive to offer experiences for expected visitors that engender positive feelings. Interacting with art is one such experience.

Site design can incorporate moveable furniture or blank canvases that enable visitors to make temporary and sustainable change to the Site. Site design and programing should both endeavor to increase mindfulness by stimulating all senses and cueing visitors to slow down and focus on the moment. For example, food is often recommended for both taste and smell as well as to increase lingering. The inclusion of art can also increase mindfulness through contemplation of the art, including visual and performance art. All these strategies will help make the space and the visit more memorable. Finally, Placemaking must ensure the site is legible.

Transforming Site Level space to a Place for the visitor will often transform a space that was a liability into an asset. That asset could generally improve the overall quality of the visit for the visitor, but could also more specifically improve the economic position of the buildings and businesses that frame the space, now Place. If the Site Level space is a commercial space, such as a market, then the same benefits apply as described in the section on interior commercial Places.

On the physical side, Site Level Placemaking targets site design to improve the chances for individual site level spaces to transform into Places. Examples of site design research, tools, and services to support your self-help Site Level Placemaking efforts include:

• Immersion Guides (see, touch, smell, hear, taste, experience the Place)
• Park(ing) Day Guide
• Design Wisconsin Lite

---

On the social side, Site Level Placemaking targets site programming to improve the chances for site level spaces to transform into Places. Examples of site programming research and tools to support your self-help Site Level Placemaking efforts include:

• Public space programming guides
• Economic (and other) impact measurement tools for site programming
• Art and Creative Placemaking