Placemaking Isn’t Just Physical, It’s Emotional

When we talk about placemaking, we often focus on the physical, architecture, infrastructure, and design. But the places we remember and return to are the ones that make us feel something. They stir a sense of familiarity, inspiration, or aspiration. That’s where the emotional dimension of placemaking comes in.

A strong place brand considers not just how a place looks or functions, but how it makes people feel. Are we inspired here? Do we belong? Does this space make us proud? These are questions of identity, and branding answers them long before a building opens its doors.

When developing Fleet Walk, we tapped into the emotional layer of regeneration, creating a playful yet confident identity that speaks to both locals and visitors. The nostalgic, holiday-inspired design helps transform a typical retail space into a place people connect with emotionally, supporting Torbay’s wider vision of cultural revival.

Branding doesn’t just define how a space looks. It defines what it means. And meaning is what people ultimately stay for.