An effective planning approach that considers local context
Adopting a place-based strategy helps you and your stakeholders to consider local issues and needs when developing new facilities.
Why use a place-based approach?
Place-based is a collaborative and long-term approach to building thriving communities within in a defined geographic location. The aim is to improve social, economic, and physical wellbeing.
It enables thoughtful development of social infrastructure that provides services targeted to a specific community, rather than using a 'one size fits all' approach.
This approach is often used to respond to complex, interrelated or challenging issues; for example, addressing social issues impacting those who are at risk of or experiencing disadvantage.
This requires a collaborative and long-term solution, and ideally in partnership with allied organisations using shared design, stewardship and accountability.
Starting the place-based planning process
Place-based planning for social infrastructure starts by identifying the different needs and opportunities of Queensland communities. It asks: how can integrated planning with cross-sector stakeholders benefit particular locations and local initiatives?
There are a number of ways that this approach can be implemented to achieve a best-fit solution for the location. Partners can select a collaboration model that enables the right mix of social and community services, such as co-location or community hubs. Find out more here - Models of Collaboration.
This increases governments’ capacity to deliver targeted infrastructure that meets specific local needs while creating wider opportunities for productivity, growth and high quality of life. Communities benefit directly because place-based infrastructure should offer value for money, is well-used and meets local needs. In addition, place-based infrastructure generally delivers multiple benefits beyond its primary purpose in the form of compounding impact, or collective impact.
Australian Infrastructure Plan 2021 (p. 137).
Queensland Government's infrastructure reform agenda
Through the State Infrastructure Strategy the Queensland Government is exploring ways to facilitate place-based planning of social infrastructure through a reform agenda:
- co-developing models for funding/investing in social infrastructure
- addressing systemic barriers to collaborative social infrastructure planning and delivery
- partnering with key stakeholders and fostering multi-sector partnerships/research alliances
- building cross-sectoral capability and advocating place-based planning to drive better community outcomes.
The Queensland Government’s Strategy for Social Infrastructure (SSI) adopts a place-based approach. It sets the long-term direction for the planning, design, location and use of facilities such as our hospitals and schools.
This strategy promotes innovative social infrastructure approaches to address growth and seize the opportunities of change through forward thinking and planning. These support healthy, thriving and connected communities.
10 essential considerations
Infrastructure Australia’s Strengthening Communities Report proposes ten considerations to support place-based approaches:
1. Meaningful community engagement: build trust and value community input.
2. Respect culture: recognise First Nations Peoples’ cultural heritage and custodianship of land.
3. Collaboration: create partnerships across sectors to support integrated strategic planning.
4. Develop a shared local vision: design solutions that consider a place’s character, strengths and gaps.
5. Acknowledge complexity: recognise alignment and interdependencies across portfolios.
6. Leverage existing strengths: identify assets and opportunities to avoid a focus on the negative.
7. Evidence-based decision making: gather evidence, utilise local knowledge and think critically.
8. Don’t lead with solutions: understand communities’ needs before considering interventions.
9. Resilience: strengthen places by creating connections and building community capacity.
10. Close the loop: track progress, evaluate outcomes and share learnings.
For more information on infrastructure and place-based outcomes for communities refer to page 136 of the Australian Infrastructure Plan 2021.
