ABSTRACT
Placemaking has gained the attention of planning and its governance systems. This chapter presents how placemaking has been integrated into the Australian planning context through three government documents. This integration has, at times, seen inauthentic use of the language and theory of placemaking in planning documents, together with a seeming reluctance to describe placemaking practice for planning professionals. The lessons from this are that the dynamic between placemaking and planning can be challenging or supportive, with the author describing a preferred supportive role for placemakers in order to grow the value of placemaking, and thereby professional influence with planners and within their governance systems. Three globally applicable recommendations for planning policy writers and placemaking practitioners are drawn from the lessons. In a context where planning is currently being challenged to consider bottom-up approaches, this is an opportunity aligned with placemaking practice. Ultimately, beyond language and theory, the practice of placemaking risks irrelevancy if it does not become integrated into planning governance.
