01/28/2025
Describing or explaining something as ubiquitous as “place” can be challenging. Our built environment surrounds us completely, making it hard to step back and analyze. Terms like “placemaking” and “urbanism” help us understand this concept that deeply affects us all. Yet, because place is so ingrained in our daily lives, it’s easy to overlook—like the background hum of an air conditioner, unnoticed until it stops. We often fail to notice our surroundings because they’re simply always there.
We seem to have a better grasp of this idea when it comes to interiors. Home renovation shows and interior design magazines abound, and people feel a sense of control over their personal spaces. After all, it’s easier to sell a home makeover. But the built environment outside our homes—the spaces we share with others—is just as important, if not more so.
These shared spaces define our communities. The streets, sidewalks, buildings, and the spaces between them are what we call “place,” or “placemaking.” This built environment tells outsiders who we are as a community, what we value, and how we see ourselves. The appearance of a town—its streets, sidewalks, and architecture—is a projection of its identity.
Think of it this way: your personal appearance reflects who you are and how you want to be perceived. You make choices about grooming, clothing, fitness, and presentation, and those choices shape how others perceive you. While people can’t know the inside of your home without stepping inside, they form assumptions based on the outside. The same principle applies to our towns and cities: the outward appearance of a community forms a lasting impression on everyone who passes through or sees a photo online.
Here’s the thing—outward appearances don’t just shape how others see us; they also shape how we see ourselves. There’s a reason people say, “When you dress better, you feel better, and when you feel better, you do better.” This simple truth applies not only to individuals but also to communities. How a town looks impacts how its residents feel and behave.
When we feel good, we make better decisions, carry ourselves with confidence, and treat ourselves—and others—better. Simple changes like going to the gym, getting a haircut, or eating healthier can transform our self-esteem. Similarly, improving the physical appearance of a town can boost a community’s pride and confidence. A neighborhood’s outward appearance is everyone’s shared “attire,” and it affects how everyone in the community feels about themselves and their surroundings.
This is why place matters so much. The physical appearance of your town impacts its residents every single day. It communicates whether they should feel proud and sophisticated or run-down and neglected. It tells them whether they care about themselves and each other—or not. A community’s health is directly tied to its outward appearance.
Research consistently shows that improving your physical health has a positive ripple effect on all aspects of life. The same logic applies to communities. Revitalizing a town’s appearance can transform how its residents feel, which in turn influences economic development, tourism, and civic pride. If you want a healthier, more vibrant community, it has to be in better shape—literally. The way residents feel won’t change until the way their town looks changes.
Place matters. It’s not just where we live—it’s who we are.
