Practical application
Group or individual use
The Place Standard is designed to be used by groups, by individuals or through gathering wider opinion as part of a survey process. How To Guides are provided for types of use tested to date. The tool should be used to maximise engagement, to promote dialogue and to involve people not traditionally engaged in consultation about place.
It is open to application by a full range of different sizes and types of group, both community and professional. Testing of the tool as it was being developed has demonstrated the value of the tool as a catalyst for engagement and for improved dialogue. Group working allows views to be shared and balanced with one another. Professional facilitation can help in many instances; for example to keep the focus on the wider place or to remind participants that it is their own experience and views that are valuable. However, the tool is designed to allow use by community groups acting for themselves. In either case the emphasis should be on bringing out and recording everyone’s views and ideas.
A broadly representative collective response can emerge from a workshop or meeting or a number of these. Similarly it could result from separate assessments, for the same place, that are gathered together.
Multiple use in surveys
The clear output from the tool allows for collation as part of wider opinion survey processes. This can involve assessments conducted using a variety of methods. The common factor should always be the place assessed.
Because it is accessible online, one way to use the tool is where individuals, couples, friends, family or household groups carry out assessments remotely. From these separate assessments the outputs are gathered and collated e.g. by a Local Authority. This method may be appropriate in some circumstances, for example, reaching people who would otherwise not input into consultations or open conversations.
The following should be considered when analysing multiple results:
A. Analysis of the assessment outputs
- The relevance of the sample range including: demographic variations in those people involved; variations of ratings for each question; variations in comments from different groups; other evident variations.
- Overlaying multiple completed compass diagrams to see emerging patterns at-a-glance.
- Creating an averaged compass based on ratings for each theme.
- Recording and summarizing common themes within the notes related to each question.
- Recording and summarizing common themes within the priorities for action points at the end of each place assessment.
- Different methods of gathering the outputs of the place assessment tool can run alongside one another such as facilitated workshops, drop-in, consultation sessions, online submissions and so on. In these circumstances it will be important to consider the relative weight to be given to responses for the same place resulting from different methods used. The tool provides for a common format of output in these circumstances.
B. Reporting and taking action
- Presenting output clearly and intelligibly for the widest audience, illustrated using the clear graphic means that the compass provides.
- Retaining the authenticity of individual and group ratings and comments in any reporting of survey outputs.
- Formulating an action plan to address the priorities identified.
- Proposing timescales for action to be taken and for subsequent re-use of the tool to monitor progress and maintain the initiative over time.
One way in which the tool could add value is that the compass diagram outputs done months or years previously can be overlaid or viewed side by side, so that it can be seen at a glance whether, in what ways, and to what extent, a place has been improved.
The How To Guides that follow are templates to carry out a place standard assessment as a group or as an individual. These will be relevant in many of the ‘contexts of use’ described earlier within this guidance.
How to use as a group in a workshop
This guide is for use when managing a Place Standard group workshop.
A typical workshop brings people together to evaluate the qualities of existing or proposed places using a standard template to aid discussion. This guide sets out the preparation needed for a typical workshop, the role of a site visit, how to facilitate a workshop, and what to do afterwards to gain most value from the event.
Please note that a site visit is not essential for those familiar with the area. However you are likely to find a site visit helpful to answer the questions and to aid group discussion.
To gain most value from an assessment your purpose should be clearly established and shared with participants beforehand. The purpose might be finding out what are the main community needs or assets. Or it may be about prioritizing action on the ground; setting longer-term ambitions; or assessing and amending a proposal for an area.
| PREPARATION | ||
|---|---|---|
| For all places | For proposed places | |
| Participants |
You will need a group of between a few and around 10 people who know a place well. A facilitator can help to bring out everyone's views. Where you have larger numbers, it is advisable to break up into smaller separate groups for each to evaluate as above and then to compare notes afterwards. |
You will need to have knowledge of the development. |
| Materials |
The tool can be downloaded and printed out to be completed on paper or it can be completed online. For each group you will need elements of the tool including: - 14 blank question sheets - A blank compass diagram - 'Priorities for action' sheet - (optional) The 'How to use' introduction to the tool and this guidance. A clear map of the place and the surrounding area and a pen to mark it up is recommended. You will need a meeting table to sit around or a notice board to stand around. |
You will need plans, illustrations and, possibly, descriptions of the development. |
| Timing |
An assessment takes from between around half an hour up to an hour or two, depending on the scale of the study area and depth of discussion. More preparation time may be needed to explain aspects of the wider place to allow proper evaluation if the group are ill-equipped to answer all the questions in detail. |
You may need more time to read descriptions or drawings to get a sense of what development will be like. |
| SITE VISIT | ||
|---|---|---|
| For all places | For proposed places | |
| Participants |
A group site visit is valuable for those familiar or unfamiliar with the area. This will be the same group taking part in the workshop. |
The group would benefit from a good understanding of the development proposed before the site visit so that it is possible to consider how development will fit into the existing area. |
| A tour |
Use a means of visiting the area that allows for stops and discussions amongst the group as you go, preferably on foot |
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A walk around allows different perceptions and experiences of a place to be shared and understood. Keep the tool materials handy to refer to |
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| Timing |
This can take a further hour or more depending on travel distances and the scale of the study area. |
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| THE WORKSHOP | ||
|---|---|---|
| For all places | For proposed places | |
|
Step 1 Recording |
Record who participated and any groups represented. Please note that this should not inhibit discussion of a wider hinterland (you may wish to review the area after all the questions have been answered*). |
A boundary will be the outline of the development site but the place to be assessed may be wider. |
|
Step 2 Rating |
Discuss the questions one-by-one as a group. You should note your reasons for each rating. |
Your assessment should look at the proposed development and the wider surrounding area. You will want to think about what it will be like to live in the place that is proposed. |
|
Step 3 Compass |
Transfer the group's 14 ratings to the compass diagram if you are using a paper version (the online version does this for you). |
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Step 4 Reflection |
It is helpful to bring things overall, using the completed diagram as a reference. There is then space to record 'priorities for action' - the key issues that you have identified in the assessment and actions the group would propose to address these issues. |
Any opportunities or potential for improvement in the proposals should be recorded on the 'priorities for action' sheet. |
| NEXT STEPS | ||
|---|---|---|
| For all places | For proposed places | |
| Taking Action |
The completed compass diagram and notes provide valuable evidence of your assessment in a recognised standard format capable of being shared. This should be regarded as the start of a process. The output is intended for use to initiate community action, service planning, policy-making or investment decisions. The output can be made more useful by marking important locations related to proposed actions on the map (including any major external influences such as access to a city centre). Outputs from more than one group attending the workshop (or a series of workshops) can be compared and collated to form larger data sets capable of informing wider strategic decision making e.g. by tenant groups, Housing Associations, local authorities or public service providers. |
The outputs from the assessment can be used to inform design development and may be presented in conjunction with a planning application. |
| Review |
Similar workshops and further assessments can be repeated over time. |
The effect of design changes or alternative development options can be tracked over time as proposals emerge. |
* Assessments should take into account whether there is easy walking access to nearby local services such as shops, schools and public transport hubs. Thoughts on how well a place functions may be influenced by access to other localities or facilities that lie beyond the place being assessed, significant places of employment or regional hospitals, for example.
How to use as an individual.
This guide is for use when using the tool as an individual It could also be relevant for a small group who know one another well and who do not require any facilitation.The tool allows anyone to evaluate the qualities of existing or proposed places using the Place Standard. These will normally form part of a wider opinion survey process and be combined with other assessments.
This guide sets out the preparation needed, the process of assessment and what to do afterwards.
Please note that familiarity with the site and local area is essential.
To gain most value from an assessment your purpose, or the purpose of the wider survey, should be clearly established beforehand. The purpose might be finding out what are the main community needs or assets. Or it may be about prioritizing action on the ground; setting longer-term ambitions; or assessing and amending a proposal for an area.
| PREPARATION | ||
|---|---|---|
| For all places | For proposed places | |
| Materials |
The tool can be downloaded and printed out to be completed on paper or it can be completed on-line. |
You will need to have knowledge of the development. |
| Study area |
It is preferable to have a clear map of the assessment site and surrounding area to refer to and to mark up. |
|
| A tour |
Effective use of the tool relies on local knowledge. It is preferable to get out and consider the area, even if you are familiar with it. |
|
| THE ASSESSMENT | ||
|---|---|---|
| For all places | For proposed places | |
|
Step 1 Recording |
Record who you are. Please note that this should not inhibit consideration of a wider hinterland (you may wish to review the area after all the questions have been answered*) |
The boundary will be the outline of the development site however the tool enables consideration of the wider surrounding area. |
|
Step 2 Rating |
Rate your place based on your own perceptions. Answer the 14 main questions using the 7-point scale indicated. The prompts (sub-questions) are there to help answer the main question. You should note your reasons for each rating. |
Your assessment should look at both the proposed development and the wider surrounding area. You will want to think about what it will be like to live in the place that is proposed. |
|
Step 3 Compass |
Transfer your 14 ratings to the compass diagram if you are using a paper version (the online version does this for you). |
|
|
Step 4 Reflection |
You can then review your assessment overall, using the completed compass as a reference. There is then space to record the Priorities for Action - the key issues that you have identified in the assessment and actions you would propose to address these issues. |
Any opportunities or potential for improvement in the proposals should be recorded on the 'priorities for action' sheet. |
| NEXT STEPS | ||
|---|---|---|
| For all places | For proposed places | |
| Taking Action |
The completed compass diagram, notes and Priorities for Action provide valuable evidence of your assessment in a recognized standard format capable of being shared. The output is intended for use to initiate community action, service planning, policy-making or investment decisions. The output can be made more useful by marking important locations related to proposed actions on the map (including any major external influences such as access to a city centre). |
The outputs from the assessment can be used to inform design development and may be presented in conjunction with a planning application. |
| Review |
Your assessment can be repeated over time as your place changes. |
The effect of design changes or alternative development options can be compared with one another over time, as proposals emerge. |
* Assessments should take into account whether there is easy walking access to nearby local services such as shops, schools and public transport hubs. Thoughts on how well a place functions may be influenced by access to other localities or facilities that lie beyond the place being assessed, significant places of employment or regional hospitals, for example.