The Future of Mainstreets

The Future of Mainstreets

Placemaking, Good Governance, and Community Resilience

The future of our mainstreets lies in placemaking, collaboration, and strong governance. At the Mainstreet SA conference, I was inspired by the stories shared by Bjorn Bergman, Louise Custance, and Gianna Murphy. From the revitalisation of Bryant Park in New York to Renew Adelaide’s support for startups, it’s clear that strong partnerships and good governance are the foundations of thriving mainstreets.

Placemaking: Creating Spaces That People Love:

Placemaking is about creating spaces that people want to visit, stay in, and return to. Bjorn Bergman’s example of The Little Square in Malmö demonstrated how placemaking can transform even the smallest spaces into vibrant, community-centred destinations. Steven Burgess, Complete Streets - shared results from over 30 years of helping cities, towns and villages all around the world - and how planning healthy and happy communities is possible!

In our regional areas, we are passionate about what makes our regions unique. It’s important to focus on what sets us apart, whether it’s through design, local culture, or community events. Louise Custance’s approach to enhancing Kangaroo Island’s mainstreets showed that even on a tight budget, we can create spaces that foster pride and invite both locals and visitors to engage with our communities.

The Role of Good Governance:

Good governance is essential for the success of placemaking projects. As David West and the Mainstreet SA team highlighted throughout the conference, when governance is managed well, it builds trust and strengthens the community. However, when governance is poor, it leads to distrust and a lack of engagement.

Fleur Bowden & James Finnis of the City of Adelaide’s work is a perfect example of how good governance can create opportunities for businesses and communities alike. By fostering collaboration between property owners, businesses, and local council, they’ve been able to facilitate a community centred project, to breathe life into tired spaces, benefiting everyone involved.

Supporting Small Businesses and Property Owners:

For mainstreets to thrive, we need to support small businesses and incentivise property owners to share in the responsibility of creating vibrant spaces. The work being done by the Maras Group and Rundle Street East is proof that when we invest in our small businesses and provide them with the right resources, they can lead the charge in revitalising our mainstreets.

The future of our mainstreets depends on placemaking, good governance, and collaboration. By working together, we can create spaces that not only support small businesses but also build strong, resilient communities.

Shelley’s Call to Action:

If you’re a business owner, property owner, or part of your local council, think about how you can contribute to the future of your mainstreet. Let’s collaborate, build trust, and create spaces that people love to visit.