Place-based approaches

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‘Place-based approaches’ bring local people and organisations together to work in partnership to agree what works and what could be improved as well as putting a plan in place for how to do this.

It’s a term that has become more common in recent years and the Scottish Government is currently interested in place-based approaches, so it may be useful for community groups to get a sense of what it’s all about.

The basics

The term ‘place-based’ … is currently used to describe a range of approaches, from “grant-making in a specific area to long-term, multi-faceted, collaborative partnerships aimed at achieving significant change” … (Lankelly Chase)

Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC) has identfied a few key elements to a place-based approach:

  • There is a shared understanding and agreement of what the boundaries of the ‘place’ are. For instance, where does the area change to another area? There must be an agreed common bond, or a feeling that everyone belongs, and boundaries must make sense to everyone.

  • There are multiple partners in the collaboration – e.g. community, 3rd sector, public sector, private sector – involved on an ‘equal’ and shared basis in terms of power/influence, vision, understanding.

  • There is desire for change among the people and organisations involved, and some urgency or energy to make this change happen.

  • Decision-making should be effective, and based on trust, openness and mature relationships between partners.

  • There is a collective strategy for change with agreed outcomes, goals and measures.

  • Resources are in place or are being sought to support the collaboration over time (at least 2-3 years with a vision for longer-term change).

Key resources and websites

  • The Scottish Government’s introduction to it’s Place Principle which was developed with partner organisations to provide a shared context for place-based work. Visit website.

  • IRISS (The Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services) has created a nicely-illustrated introduction to place-based approaches.

  • What Works Scotland have a series of publications exploring place-based approaches in more depth, inlcluding on-the-ground examples.

  • The Improvement Service has created a Partners in Planning with a dedicated section on ‘place, place'-making’ and ‘place-based approaches’, featuring a video of how planning professionals should use place-based approaches.

  • The Corra Foundation has produced a document bringing together different resources and guides on place-based working in Scotland. Download pdf.

  • SCDC’s Mick Doyle has written a blog exploring some key questions in relation to place-based approaches.

More information

Any more resources on place, and place-based approaches will appear below as they are added to Communities Channel Scotland.

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