Due to the pandemic and the accessibility to remote work, there has been an influx of vacant office spaces. With that, the communities that these spaces housed are also seeing a decline in street activity. What was once a symbiotic relationship between retail stores and office spaces is now becoming a struggle. Retail business owners depend on the foot traffic of company employees throughout the day.
As these buildings sit empty, local governments are working to figure out a solution that will not only help the community but also fill the space. Placemaking is creating usable spaces between buildings. Spaces like parks, plazas, courts, and pop-ups are examples of placemaking. This idea helps bring people to the community while also allowing designers to figure out how to best utilize the space moving forward.
By creating these placemaking strategies, communities can create a buzz and bring in more people organically. In turn, companies searching for their next building will be more enticed to purchase or lease. The idea is that a busier area with local shops and businesses surrounding it will be considered an amenity for their employees.
With the shift of companies moving towards a remote work model, there is a need to figure out the best way to utilize these empty spaces. Instead of sitting tenantless, cities are working on an innovative approach to bring the community back together. Placemaking is a great alternative to not only bring the focus back to the community but also highlight great spaces in all kinds of ways.